Full text of "The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire"

The History of Lyndeborough
New Hampshire

BKN.IAMIN LVNDE, JR.

ID if: J"} 90^^17

THE HISTORY

Town of Lyndeborough

NEW HAMPSHIRE

1735-1905

Rev. dT DONOVAN and JACOB A. WOODWARD

PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN

ANDY HOLT J. H. GOODRICH

LUTHER CRAM Rev. D. DONOVAN

JACOB A. WOODWARD

HISTORY COMMITTEE

THE TUFTS COLLEGE PRESS

H. W. Whittbmork k Co.

1906

I/- 1

1735

Granted by the Province of Massachusetts as
SALEM-CANADA

1753

Chartered by the Masonian Proprietors as
LYNDEBOROUGH

1764

Chartered by the Province of New Hampshire as the
TOWN OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Benning Wentworth, Governor

Preface.

It is said that many years ago some of our most gifted and in-
telligent citizens felt that the history of L,yndeborough ought to
be written while aged men and women were still living whose
recollection reached back to the later days of many of the pio-
neers. Had it been commenced then, doubtless many things of
great interest would have been preserved for us which are now
either entirely lost, or shrouded in impenetrable haze. The rea-
sons which then prevented are not now clearly manifest. But
the thing was not done, and the years rolled on and carried
away the fathers and mothers, revered repositories of facts and
traditions which would undoubtedly have both enlivened and
enriched the pages of our present volume.

The interest in having a history was, however, revived in the
March meeting of 1889. The town then voted to celebrate its
One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary, and on the same day,
also, voted to appropriate two hundred dollars towards prepar-
ing and publishing its history. Messrs. D. C. Grant, J. H.
Goodrich, J. A. Woodward, I,. Cram, and E. C. Curtis were
chosen as the History Committee. The next year three hun-
dred dollars were added to the former appropriation ; and a year
later, on motion of Hon. B. G. Herrick, the town instructed its
committee " to proceed with the work as fast as consistent with
getting up a good history." Thus an earnest interest in obtain-
ing a history became manifest.

About that time, Rev. Frank G. Clark published his " His-
torical Address," prepared for the 150th anniversary. It was
entitled " Salem-Canada-I,yndeborough, " and almost deserved
to be called a " history in miniature." This he kindly and
generously permitted to be freely used as an aid in compiling
the more extended work ; and for the very valuable aid thus ex-
tended the compilers unite in expressing to him most hearty and
unfeigned thanks. Readers will learn from the frequent citation
from this address as authorit}^ how much they are indebted to
Rev. F. G. Clark.

The committee for several years reported very little progress.
Meantime, two of its members, Messrs. Woodward and Curtis,

X PREFACE

declined to serve. The former had already collected many
genealogical records which remained in his care during this in-
active period, and served at a later day to forward the work.
Very many and valuable facts had been collected by Mr. Good-
rich, but were in a detached form awaiting combination to ex-
hibit their utility and real worth. Mr, Grant's collection was of
a miscellaneous, and, perhaps, necessarily, of an unclassified
nature, and very much of it was difficult to decipher. The col-
lections thus made were reported by the chairman as about all
that were needed for the publication of the history.

Upon learning this Hon. B. G. Herrick moved that the resi-
dent pastors. Rev. O. E. Hardy and Rev. D. Donovan, be added
to the History Committee, to assist in arranging the materials
and preparing them for the press, and the town so voted. The
committee thus constituted had held but one session when Rev.
Mr. Hardy resigned his pastorate and removed from town, in
1899. Early, also, in the year 1900, our Chairman, D. C. Grant,
was removed from us by death. The vacancies thus made were
filled by electing Mr. Andy Holt as chairman, and Rev. A. M.
Rockwood, the new pastor, in place of Mr. Hardy. After a few
months, however, Mr. Rockwood declined to serve, and Mr.
Jacob A. Woodward was again elected a member of the History
Committee, which then consisted of Messrs. Andy Holt, Chair-
man, J. H. Goodrich, Clerk, Luther Cram, Rev. D. Donovan
and J. A. Woodward. The two members last named seemed to
be selected to shape the work, while the others agreed to render
every assistance which they could. And it may here be stated
that unusual harmony and even kindly feelings have governed
their action in labors which, however pleasant in themselves,
have at times been very perplexing and exacting.

The committee thus constituted commenced the process of in-
specting, classifying and combining materials, collecting new
and collating both new and old matter, and composing the whole
into narrative form somewhat approaching unity. The task was
undertaken without undue presumption, and has been as faith-
fully prosecuted as circumstances seemed to permit ; and it is
hardly necessary to state that its completion, so long delayed, is
viewed by them with emotions of grateful relief. Our cordial
sympathies are tendered to our generous fellow-citizens who
have unstintingly voted their money for and earnestly desired to
see the finished book. We trust that, all in all, it will not
utterly disappoint their hopes.

PREFACE xi

Justice and gratitude alike demand appreciative recognition
and mention of our friends and helpers. Among the very help-
ful volumes consulted are the Province Records and State
Papers, edited by Bouton, Hammond and Batchellor, to which
we add the Histories of Exeter, Weare, Hancock, Peterbor-
ough. Antrim, Francestown, New Boston, Amherst, Milford,
Wilton, Mason, Temple, Rindge and possibly a few others.
We are indebted, also, to our State Library and to our Hon.
Secretary of State, Edward N. Pearson, as well as to our
Registrar of Deeds, Col. Dana W. King, for courteous as-
sistance and permission to consult the archives of our county
which are in their custody ; and it is presumed that some of the
old deeds and conveyances will possess a measure of interest for
present readers who may, perchance, occupy some of the tracts
there described. We extend sincere and hearty thanks to Maj.
D. E. Proctor, Trustee, and Miss Mary E. Abbott, lyibrarian of
Wilton Public Library for free use and consultation of the vol-
umes of that institution, and to Miss Doane, Librarian of Mil-
ford Public Library for similar courtesy. The Historic Genea-
logical Society's Library in Boston afforded us valued assistance
respecting Benjamin Lynde, Jr., Esq., and his heirs, who at one
time owned a large portion of our town ; the portrait of him which
forms our frontispiece was obtained from a painting in possession
of Mrs. Oliver of Boston who kindly permitted it to be copied
for this history, and whose late husband, Dr. F. E. Oliver, was a
great-grandson of Benjamin Lynde, Jr.

The Committee regards it as a piece of good fortune that Mr.
H. W. Whittemore had charge of printing the book. Mr.
Whittemore is a son of Lyndeborough and shares in the inter-
ests and traditions of some of her old, substantial families. He
has taken great pains with the work and has rendered effective
and interested assistance in every department of it.

The illustrations in Part I. were furnished chiefly by home
talent, some by Mr. E. D. Putnam, now of Antrim, some by Mr.
John P. Proctor of North Lyndeborough, and a few from other
sources.

Finally, we tender sincere and grateful acknowledgments and
thanks to all our neighbors and friends who generously en-
trusted us not only w'ith printed volumes, but also with private
documents to aid in our investigations. Nor would we forget
the uniform patience and kindness of our more aged fellow-citi-
zens in our almost inquisitorial quizzing at times. They have

Xll PREFACE

truly merited our gratitude and esteem. And though our book
may omit some facts which both we and its readers may wish
had been recorded and include others which might have been
omitted with little injury, this very condition may serve to ex-
plain partly, at least, our earnest quest to obtain the best possi-
ble matters to put on record.

We now commit our history to the considerate judgment of
all our citizens and friends, confidently trusting that it will in
no wise diminish their affection and esteem for the old Town of
lyyndeborough.

South I^yndeborough, Jan. i8, 1906.

Contents.

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Summary View 1-7

II. The Indians • 8-12

III. The Canada Expedition of 1690 ' 13-20

PART I.
I. Assumptions of Massachusetts. Extracts from Jour-
nal of her Legislature 21-30

II. Salem-Canada Sawmills, Roads, and Meetinghouse . 31-39

III. Sale of Mason's Estates 40-56

IV. Lyndeborough under the Charter of the Masonian

Proprietors 57-ioi

V. Physical Features of Lyndeborough : Flora, Geology,

Topography, Ponds, Streams, etc 102-131

VI. Lyndeborough under Provincial Charter 132-150

VII. Lyndeborough in the Revolutionary War 151-206

VIII. The Militia 207-227

IX. The War of 1812 and the Mexican War 228-231

X. Lyndeborough in the Civil War 232-242

XI. Lyndeborough' s Contributions to Other Towns . . . 243-256

XII. Town Officers, Collectors of Taxes, etc 257-275

XIII. Ecclesiastical Matters 276-321

XIV. Ecclesiastical Matters (continued) 322-336

XV. History of the Baptist Church and Other Religious

Interests 337-353

XVI. Public Schools and Teachers 354-380

XVII. Libraries : Social, Franklin, South Lyndeborough

Circulating, and the Public Library 381-388

XVIII. Lyceums 389-394

XIX. Local Organizations : The " Scataquog " Silver Mine ;
Lyndeborough Mutual Fire Insurance Co. ; and
Grand Army of the Republic. (For Auxiliaries,
W. R. C. and S, of V. see Appendix) ....... 395-400

XX. Pinnacle Grange 401-407

XXI. Stores and Merchants 408-414

XXII. Taverns and Temperance. — Tavern Keepers. — Tem-
perance Influences 415-421

XXIII. Mails, Post-Routes and Stages 422-427

XXIV. Roads and Bridges 428-438

XXV. Public Buildings : Halls and Schoolhouses 439-450

XXVI. Mills and Other Industries 451-462

XXVII. The " Olden Time " in Lyndeborough 463-481

XXVIII. Old Deeds 482-489

XIV

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

XXIX. Old Cellar Holes and Building Sites 490-497

XXX. Cemeteries 498-502

XXXI. Owners and Transfers of Real Estate 503-540

XXXII. Town Fairs and Celebrations : Agricultural ; 150th
Anniversary ; Dr. Herrick's Poem ; Centennial of
Lafayette Artillery Co 541-578

XXXIII. Biographical Sketches 579-619

XXXIV. Professional Men : Ministers, Physicians ; Trades-

men ; Authors and College Graduates 620-625

XXXV. Miscellaneous Items : People, as to Race; Census of
1767; Salt and Molasses; The Smallpox in 1794
and a Poem ; Smallpox in 1853 ^^^ Spotted Fever ;
The Extension of the Wilton or Peterborough R.R.
to Greenfield; Fires, Accidents, and Incidents . . 626-637
XXXVI. Mortuary Record since 1861 638-645

PART II.

Preface to Genealogies 649-650

Genealogies 651-904

Appendix 905-907

Index 909-932

Errata 933

List of Illustrations.

Benjamin Lynde, Jr Frontispiece

North Side of Pinnacle 9

Map of Salem-Canada and Lyndeborough 21

Winn Mountain 31

Lenticular Hills at North Lyndeborough 104

Pinnacle from Stephenson's Hill 107

Badger Pond 11 1

Senter's Falls 113

Mountain View 151

Soldier's Monument 233

View from Walker's Hill 243

Congregational Church 277

Rev. E. B. Claggett 301

Baptist Church 337

Lyndeborough Centre 409

South Lyndeborough 411

Town Hall 439

Citizens' Hall 441

View from Luther Cram's House 595

Jacob A. Woodward 649

Rodney C. Boutwell 665

Nancy J. Boutwell 666

Dr. Henry W. Boutwell 668

Roland H. Boutwell 671

RoswELL m. Boutwell 672

Peter Clark 697

Benjamin J. Clark 699

William H. Clark 700

Rev. B. F. Clark 703

Rev. F. G. Clark 707

Cram Coat of Arms 710

Luther Cram 715

Eli C. Curtis 727

W. W. Curtis 728

Rev. D. Donovan 733

John C. Goodrich 749

John H. Goodrich 751

John R, Goodrich 752

Grant Brothers 754

Dr. Israel Herrick 7^5

Benjamin G. Herrick 769

JoTHAM Hildreth 771

Gen. Alfred Holt 775

Andy Holt 77^

XVI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Dr. W. a. Jones 789

William Jones 790

Residence of G, W. Parker 815

G. W. Parker 816

Charles I,. Perham * 820

Maj. David E. Proctor 825

David Putnam 830

Nathan Richardson 841

George Rose 845

Franklin Senter 850

Edward Paige Spalding 856

Dr. Henry E. Spalding 858

Joel H. Tarbell 867

Charles F. Tarbell 868

JosiAH Wheeler 877

Daniel B. Whittemore 883

William L. Whittemore 885

Mehitable Trask Woodward 897

George T. Woodward 8q8

THE HISTORY OF LYNDEROROUGH.

General Introduction.

CHAPTER I.

Summary View.
The town of Lyndeborough is one of the chartered political
divisions of the State of New Hampshire. The territory of
which it is a part, was granted by the King of England to the
Plymouth Company, or as it was more commonly called, the
Council of Plymouth, in the year 1620; granted again in 1622
by the same king, James I., to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Cap-
tain John Mason ; and further, granted to Captain John Mason
in 1629, by the Council of Plymouth. But quite a portion of
this territory at a later day was granted by the Colony of Mas-
sachusetts to the soldiers of the Canada Expedition of 1690 and
to their heirs, in consideration of their services. This land was
again re-granted by the Masonian proprietors, and was finally
granted incorporation as a town by the Charter of the Royal
Governor, Benning Wentworth. Thus our territory has passed
through several hands.

Question I NGvS.

Some perplexing questions must naturally occur to our
thoughtful citizens, in consequence of the statements above
made; such as: "Why is our town called Lyndeborough?"
" Why was any former name changed to this? " " How came
our State to be called New Hampshire ? " "What right had the
Colony or Province of Massachusetts to make grants of land in
New Hampshire? " " How has our territory been from time to
time governed and protected?"

Now, it will not be denied that our citizens could cultivate
their soil just as well, at least so far as the manual labor is
concerned, without as with, the ability to answer readily such
questions. But it surely would neither unnerve their arms
nor dwarf their intellects to know how to answer them in a

2 HrSTOR Y OF L YDEBOROfJGH

proper and correct manner. And, furthermore, conscious of
possessing a correct knowledge of their true history, they would
feel that they are resting on ground well nigh as firm as the
enduring granite of their native hills.

General Survey.

To this end a hasty glance at the relation of New Hampshire
to other colonies and movements in this new world will not at
the outset be amiss. Let it be distinctly borne in mind, that
after the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, more than
a century intervened before a single European colony had been
planted on this continent north of Florida. There was voyaging
to and fro, and trafiSc in various commodities, and explorations
of the coast by both public and private enterprise. But not a
permanent settlement was planted, not a firm foothold was
gained on these shores during all the years of the sixteenth
centur>\ The honor of the first colony on American soil north
of Florida belongs to France. Port Royal, now Annapolis,
Nova Scotia, founded by the French, in 1604, heads the list, in
regard to age. Next in order of time came Jamestown, Vir-
ginia, in 1607. Then came the Dutch colonies of New Nether-
lands in 16 14 ; the Plymouth, or Old Colon}- of Massachusetts,
in 1620 ; and the Piscataqua settlements at Dover and Ports-
mouth in 1623 ; while the colony of Massachusetts Bay, includ-
ing Salem, 1628, Charlestown, 1629, and Boston, 1630, followed
in order. At an early day, the two Massachusetts colonies
united, forming one Province, under one Governor, taking the
name of the more populous and powerful plantation, Massa-
chusetts. This came speedily forward as the most prosperous
and influential of the New England colonies.

Grants.

I . The first charter having a direct bearing on our State history
was that granted by King James the First to "Sir Ferdinando
Gorges, Knight," and called by the king, "Captain of our fort
and island of Plymouth." This grant was made to him as the
President of the Council of Plymouth and included "all that
circuit etc., in America from forty degrees north latitude to
forty-eight degrees, and by the breadth aforesaid, from sea to
sea, with all seas, riv^ers, islands, etc.," : "And the same shall
be called by the name of New England in America."*

* Bouton, Prov. Papers I, p. 3 ; Bouton, I., p. 5.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 3

This grant bore date of November 3, 1620, and was conse-
quently issued before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.
It promised a new charter, for better assurance; and the council
was to be favored in all constructions, and aided by all officers.*

2. The second charter, dated Aug. 10,. 1622, was issued to
" Sir Ferdinando Gorges of lyondon, Knight, and Captain John
Mason of London, Esquire," by the Council of Plymouth. This
assigned " to them, their heirs and assignes, all that part of the
main land in New England lying upon the sea-coast betwixt y*
rivers of Merrimack and Sagadahock, and to the furthest heads
of the said rivers, and soe forwards up into the land westward
until three-score miles be finished from y*^ first entrance of the
aforesaid rivers, and half way over" ; which they, the grantees,
" intend to name The Province of Maine." In the same year,
according to Palfre5^t "the Council granted to Gorges and
Mason the country bounded by the Merrimack, the Kenne-
bec, the ocean, and the river of Canada, and this territory they
called Laconia." A like statement is also made by the Maine
historian, Williamson, and by Belknap. +

3. The charter of Massachusetts gave to Sir Henry Roswell
and others, under date of March 19, 1627-8, a title to " all that
part of New England which lies and extends between a great
river there commonly called the Merrimack, and a certain other
river there called Charles River," and also all those lands
" lying within the space of three English miles on the south
part of Charles River" ; and also, "all those lands which
lie and be within the space of three English miles to the north-
ward of the said river called Merrimack, or to the northward of
any and every part thereof." The last statement of this grant
is especially important to remember, for it gives the boundary
line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, a line which
in later days caused long and acrimonious disputes.

4. The grant which most intimately concerns us as citizens is
that made to Captain John Mason by the Council of Plymouth,
bearing date of Nov. 7, 1629. It confirms to him, "his heirs
and assigns, all that part of the mainland in New England lying
upon the sea-coast, beginning from the middle part of Merri-
mack River, and from thence to proceed northwards along the
sea-coast to Piscataqua River, and so forwards up within the
said river and to the furthest head thereof, and from thence
northwestward until three-score miles be finished from the

*P. p. I., p. 9. tN. E-, 397 ; also 202. {N. H., p. 4.

4 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

first entrance of Piscataqua River ; also from Merrimack
through the said river and to the furthest head thereof, and so
forwards up into the lands westwards, until three-score miles be
finished." Thus Mason's charter, issued at least a year later
than that of Massachusetts, made his territory a distinct, sepa-
rate colony. The lands specified were beyond the bounds of the
Bay colony, and were never properly subject to her dictation.
The tract thus bounded was called New Hampshire.

5. Other grants of greater or less importance were issued
which may be studied at one's leisure. Such were those to
John Wheelwright of Exeter ; to Edward Hilton of Dover ; and
to Gorges and Mason and their associates of Portsmouth. But
the connection between these and our town history is more re-
mote, and hence we pass these with a mere mention of them.

Territory Divided.

" Near the close of the year," (1631), says the historian
Whiton,* " Mason and Gorges by mutual agreement divided
Laconia into two parts." Gorges took the tract b'ing east of
the Piscataqua, and called it Maine; while that lying between
the Piscataqua and the Merrimack, "was confirmed to Mason
by a new patent, and called New Hampshire, after the
County of Hampshire, in England, the place of his residence."

For several years Mason, his associates, and those whom they
employed, managed the settlements. But these grew "very
slowly and yielded their owners much trouble, but very little
gain. Mason himself lived but a few years to enjoy his new
possessions. He died in 1635, having expended large sums
in improvements from which he never realized any adequate
returns. "His name," says the historian Whiton, "merits the
grateful remembrance of future generations, as the Father
OF New Hampshire, "t " His personal property in New Eng-
land," says another writer, "seems to have been appropri-
ated by his former servants and agents, with what justice it is
unnecessary to inquire. " +

Disturbances.

About that time there was great religious agitation in the
neighboring colony of Massachusetts. The peace of the Boston
hierarchy had been disturbed by a man, who, according to Cot-

• Whilon, p. 10. t Whiton, p. 13. J McCUntock, p. 39.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 5

ton Mather,* " had a windmill in his head." This was because
he taught that " there ought to be fair dealing with the Indians,
that the civil magistrate had no right to interfere in religious
matters, and that in such matters there should be complete soul-
freedom." They banished him from the colony ; but deferred
execution on account of his ill health. They purposed and pre-
pared to send him back to England, but he eluded their vigi-
lance, fled southwards through the wilderness to hospitable sav-
ages, and afterwards became the founder of the first government
on earth to grant its citizens complete religious freedom, — Roger
Williams of Rhode Island. But he was not the only troubler of
their camp. Mrs. Anne Hutchinson was becoming very popu-
lar in Boston about that time, and her brother-in-law. Rev. John
Wheelwright, a college mate of Oliver Cromwell, was in Brain-
tree, near by, and in sympathy with her. The Boston authori-
ties banished both. Then there was also Captain John Under-
bill, who had trained their militia, and led a detachment of their
forces in exterminating the ferocious Pequods ; he, also, sympa-
thized with Wheelwright, and for this reason was deposed
from his captaincy and banished from the colony.

An Episcopal minister also who had been persecuted in Eng-
land for imbibing dissenting views, one Hansard Knoll3^s, came
into the colony in 1638, and was grievously suspected of antinom-
ianism.t Forbidden to remain, he departed from Boston before
his time limit expired, and went away with two strangers from
Piscataqua, who invited him to accompany them to their home.
He and Captain Underbill reached Dover near the same time,
while John Wheelwright found a home at Exeter. Mrs. Hutch-
inson with many of her friends went to Rhode Island and shared
the hospitality of Roger Williams, But afterwards when Massa-
chusetts was striving to get jurisdiction over Williams' territory,
she fled to the Dutch colonies, where, at a later da}'-, she and all
her household perished by the hands of the savages. +

These cases have received more attention, because they illus-
trate the claims which Massachusetts made to jurisdiction over
the places in which those outlawed exiles found homes.

P1.0TTING AND Scheming.
Mr. Knoll5'S became pastor in what afterwards was called
Dover. In 1636, Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts " wrote
to Dover that if the latter dared to receive any persons that had

* Elton's WiUiams, pp. 1 16-120. t Backus I, p. S2.

X Backus I, p. 375 ; EUon's Williams p. 160.

6 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

been cast out from the Bay, it would be taken ill," and threaten-
ing them, that if such exiles were received, "they should
survey their utmost limits and make use of them." * This they
had evidently been doing for several years. It was not the
work of one year or of one person. For, in 1632,! Captain
Wiggin went to Kngland and formed a company of " honest
■men," according to Winthrop, and with their aid purchased the
entire Hilton Patent for £2,1^0. The purchasers were all
Puritans and friends to Massachusetts, who had been "writ
unto by the Governor and Magistrate of Massachusetts, who
encouraged them to purchase the said lands, in respect they
feared some ill neighborhood from them."+ Immediate steps
were taken after the purchase to submit the territory to Massa-
chusetts jurisdiction. One of Wiggin's people had stabbed
another, and he requested that the culprit ' ' might be tried in
the Bay, if the party died." " The Governor answered, that
if the Pascataqua lay within their limits (as it was supposed)
they would try him."§ Another offer of a like nature was
made the following winter, but the authorities after conferring
on the matter, " did not," as Winthrop wrote, " think fit to try
them here." So the scheme to turn over the colony to Massa-
chu.setts dragged. Intense hostility to the design sprang up
among the original planters of Hilton's Point, who occupied
the soil, and the salesman proved unable to deliver the goods.
But internal strife arose. Mr. I^arkham, the Episcopal minis-
ter, and Mr. Knollys quarrelled, and Captain John Underhill
sided with the latter. There was a resort to arms. Hard
words were plentifully hurled, but there was no blood shed,
lyarkham sought help from Strawberry Bank, whose Governor
came with an armed posse, and "beset Mr. Knollys' house,
where Captain Underhill was, kept a guard upon him night
and day till they could call a court," at which the Governor
.sat as judge. II Underhill and his company were found guilty
of riot, heavily fined, and he and some others were ordered out
of the plantation. The Larkham party triumphed, as wishing
to maintain their independence. Underhill, though at first
reckoned as opposed to Massachusetts, was at last discovered to
be plotting in her favor ; and when ordered out of Dover, re-
turned to Massachusetts, made a confession, and had his sen-
tence of banishment revoked, andw^as restored to favor. Possi-

*N. H. State Papers by BatcheHor, Town Charters, II, 684; also Winthrop I, 276.
tProv. Ps. I, p. 157. §'rown Charters 11,682.

J Town Charters II, 682. || Town Charters II, 684.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 7

bly, a reward for political service. But broils and dissensions
continued among the inhabitants of Pascataqua, until in 1640,
"Massachusetts saw her long awaited opportunity to spread
her jurisdiction " over the territory. But even then it was
necessary to resort to some manoeuvering to effect the end.
Accordingly, " the famous Hugh Peters, with two others, were
sent "to understand the minds of the people, to reconcile some
differences between them, and to prepare them."* He spent
considerable time among them, and on his return reported to
Governor Winthrop, "The Piscataqua people are ripe for our
Government." " They grone for Government and Gospel all
over that side of the country. Alas! poore bleeding souls. "t
There were then four distinct governments or " Combina-
tions " within the limits of New Hampshire. These were
Portsmouth, Kitterj', Dover and Exeter. § A majority of
these "poore bleeding souls," made overtures for union which
were, of course, very favorably received by the General Court
of Massachusetts ; and in 1641, the bonds were sealed and the
union consummated, on conditions entirely satisfactory to the
New Hampshire applicants. The union thus formed was not
destitute of advantages, and lasted thirty-eight years, or from
1641 to 1679.

*2 Winthrop 3S. Town Charters II., 685; McClintock, p. 47, J. S. Jenness cited
t Fourth Series Mass. Hist. Coll. 6, loS. § P. P. I., p 155. n.

CHAPTER II.

The Indians.

1. The last date mentioned, 1679, carries us a few years
past the close of the great Indian War, called the Narra-
gansett, or King Phillip's war. Up to that time, to the credit
of New Hampshire, be it said that her relations with the
Indians had been of a most commendably honorable and friendly
nature.

The tribes within and on the borders of the State were the
Pequakets on the east and along the Saco River, the Ossipees
around the Ossipee and Winnipesaukee lakes, and most im-
portant and powerful of all, the Penacooks, who had their head-
quarters from Concord down the Merrimac to Lowell. The
chief of this latter tribe was Passaconaway, whose influence
surpassed that of all others of his kindred and associates. To
the end of his days, he lived on terms of unbroken friend-
ship with his English neighbors, and in his farewell to his
people is reported to have said, " Hearken to the last words of
your father and friend. The white men are sons of the morn-
ing. The Great Spirit is their father. His sun shines bright
upon them ; never make war with them. Surely as you light
the fires, the breath of Heaven will turn the flame on you and
destroy you. Listen to my advice ; it is the last I shall be
allowed to give you. Remember it and live."*

So thoroughly did they obey their revered chief that, although
Philip repeatedly and earnestly sought them as confederates
and allies, they steadfastly refused to join him, and remained
strictly and unblamably neutral. For more than fifty years
from its first settlement, New Hampshire territory suffered no
calamity from Indian massacres ! Why this exemption ?

2. But a change finally came, and in the following manner :
After the close of King Philip's War, the province of Maine
suffered from some incursions of the Indians. Possibly these
may have been instigated by refugees from the shattered army
of Philip. Whether so or not, when rejoicings over their vic-
tory and over the death of Philip were past, Massachusetts dis-

♦ History of Hillsborough Co., p. 528.

T'^f

S^'

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 9

patched two companies of her returned soldiers to assist the
eastern colonists.* They set out from Boston with orders "to
seize all southern Indians wherever they might be found."
Having marched to Cocheco, or Dover, they found a large body
of the red men encamped near the house of Major Waldron,
commander of the New Hampshire militia, who had just con-
firmed a peace with them. The Boston men seemed to have
anticipated the hateful modern notion, that "the only good
Indian is the dead one," and wished to fall upon and slaughter
the multitude at once. But to this Waldron would not readily
consent. He, however, under pressure, as it seemed, did pro-
pose a sham fight for the next day, to which they agreed ; the
Indians forming one party, and his own troops with those of
Kittery and the Boston men the other. ' ' In the midst of their
fight, the whites suddenly surrounded the whole body of
Indians, and made them prisoners, almost without exception,
before the Indians were aware of the intended deception."!
The Indians had discharged their muskets, were treacherously
entrapped, disarmed, and divided into two companies. The
Penacooks and other friendly Indians were set at liberty. But
the recognized confederates of Philip, fugitives who had sought
hiding among their friends, and who with them had made peace
and supposed themselves safe ; these to the number of about
two hundred, were seized and shipped to Boston for trial. A
few of them who were counted guilty of murder were executed
without delay, and the rest were deported to Algeria and sold
into slavery. There were different opinions and views expressed
in regard to the transaction. To the Penacooks it was a piece
of base treachery, most deeply resented and never forgiven.
But to pious, civilized, and enlightened Massachusetts, it was
a piece of masterly strategy " highly applauded." It was said
that Major Waldron felt compelled to this course by Massa-
chusetts' authority as against his own better judgment, because
he knew that many of those Indians were true friends of the
New Hampshire colony. Thus was sown among the Indians
in New Hampshire the seed from which the frightful massacres
sprung — surely a baleful harvest. The strategists marched on
into Maine, and the enemy disappeared from before them.
They planned a winter campaign to the north country, but
found no more enemies to entrap ; and after a few unimportant
skirmishes and the erection of a fort on the Kennebec, the ex-

* Bouton's Prov. Ps. I, p. 357 ; Prov. Ps. I, 357.

10 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

pedition returned after its toilsome marches over frozen moun-
tains and pathless snows, without accomplishing anything
proportioned to their effort.

But troubles did not end. There was a lull for a few years,
and then, new fuel was added to the flames.* " Imagining that
an incursion of Mohawks might terrify the hostile Indians into
submission, the Government of Massachusetts sent agents into
their country, who found it easy to persuade them to take up
arms against their eastern enemies." They appeared in New
Hampshire, killed some of Waldron's friendly Indian scouts,
but failed to effect the purpose of those who invited their incur-
sion. On the contrary, the Penacooks were the more embittered
against the English, who had in addition to the treacherous
seizure and sale of their friends, now plotted with their most
ferocious enemies for their destruction. Consequently, individ-
uals were frequently killed by parties of the red men who
seemed continually hovering near the settlements. A short
lived peace was concluded with them, and the change was
made in the government by which New Hampshire was consti-
tuted a royal Province. A general uneasiness, nevertheless,
prevailed among the people.

3. Nor were matters improved very much by the change
made in the government. Sir Edmund Andros became royal
Governor over the colonies of New York and New England,
and his administration was very offensive to most honest men.
He was regarded as tyrannical and rapacious. He was
appointed Governor by the Duke of York, then King James II.
and was naturally anxious to ingratiate himself with the King
as well as to enrich himself by the plunder of those whom he
governed.

4. "The lands from Penobscot to Nova Scotia had been
ceded to the French by the treaty of Breda, in exchange for the
island of St. Christopher. On these lands the Baron de St.
Castine had for many years resided, and carried on a large trade
with the Indians, with whom he was intimately connected. The
lands which had been granted by the Crown of England to the
Duke of York (now King James the Second) interfered with
Castine's plantation, as the Duke claimed to the river St. Croix.
A fort had been built by his order at Pemaquid, and a garrison
stationed there to prevent any intrusion on his property. In
the spring of 1688, Andros went in the "Rose" frigate and

♦Whiton, p. 30.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 11

plundered Castine's house and fort, leaving only the ornaments
of his chapel to console him for the loss of his arms and goods.
This base action provoked Castine to excite the Indians to a
new war."* This was called King William's, or the French
and Indian war. The Baron Castine had to some extent
adopted Indian customs and modes of life ; had married the
daughter of one of the most powerful of the Indian chiefs ; had
taught the Indians military tactics and the use of firearms, and
had obtained an immense influence over them. Resenting in-
tensely the injuries done him, he aroused the Indians of Maine,
and even those of Canada to join the French in hostilities
against the English. Some of the tribes had grievances of
their own, and needed little incitement. Some of those Indians
also who had been sold into slavery had succeeded in escaping
and returning to their native wilds, and these kindled the
deepest possible enmity against those whom they somewhat
appropriately regarded as their kidnappers. Thus, the eastern
Province was in a state of ferment.

5. On the 28tli of June, 1689, the shock came, and came
first at Dover, the very neighborhood of the " sham fight " of
thirteen years before. Major Waldron had " sown the wind;"
he was now destined to " reap the whirlwind."

The day before the shock, some squaws were permitted to
lodge in some of the garrison houses, who informed the Major
that " a number of Indians were coming to trade with him the
next day." An Indian chief named Mesandowit, whom he
entertained, said to him at supper, " Brother Waldron, what
would you do if the strange Indians should come?" He
answered carelessly, "I could assemble a hundred men by lift-
ing up my finger." He set no watch, and with his familj'
retired to rest in fancied security. " In the hours of deepest
quiet the gates were opened. The Indians, who were waiting
without, immediately entered, placed a guard at the gate, and
rushed into the Major's apartment. Awakened by the noise,
he sprang from his bed, seized a sword and, though over eighty
years old, drove them through two or three rooms ; but return-
ing for other arms, they came behind him, stunned him with a
hatchet, and overpowered him. Drawing him into the hall,
they then placed him in an elbow-chair on a long table with a
derisive cry, ' Who shall judge Indians now ? ' They cut the
Major across the breast with knives, each one with a stroke

*Prov. Ps. II, 46, 47 ; Farmer's Belknap, p. 124.

12 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

saying, 'I cross out my account.' Cutting off his nose and
ears, they thrust them into his mouth ; and when he was falling
down, spent with the loss of blood, one of them held his own
sword beneath him; he fell upon it, and his sufferings were
ended."

' ' Twenty-three persons fell victims in this bloody tragedy
and twenty-nine were made prisoners" and carried to Canada,
where they were sold to the French ; ' ' the first English prison-
ers," it is said, "ever carried to that country." Sad results
surely, from the treacherous sham fight, "applauded by the
voice of the colony " of Massachusetts.

The next year ' ' the French Governor of Canada entered
resolutely into the war and furnished the hostile Indians with
arms and supplies. He offered a bounty for scalps and prison-
ers. Salmon Falls was attacked in March by a combined
French and Indian force, and twenty-seven of its brave de-
fenders were slain, and fifty-two, mostly women and children,
were carried into captivity."*

6. But enough of this. The purpose is not to recount horrors,
of which there were far too many, but to explain facts, as far
as history offers explanation of them. These events and many
others of like nature led to the fitting out of the Canada Ex-
pedition of 1690, so often referred to, and so seldom described,
even in the histories of those towns which were granted in view
of services rendered in that ill-fated expedition. Eet it be
remembered that New Hampshire had no serious trouble with the
Indians till after its union with Massachusetts, and its trouble
came largely in consequence of that union. After the severance
of the two interests, however, the disturbances became so
frequent and so great, that New Hampshire again in the revo-
lutionary period of 1689, sought and renewed its union with
Massachusetts until some satisfactory agreement should put an
end to the uneasiness.

•Whitoti, pp. 43, 44; Provincial Papers II, p. 49; McCUntoclc, pp. 111,112, 113.

CHAPTER III.

The Canada Expedition of 1690,

I. The French were accounted the chief instigators of Indian
massacres. It was therefore considered important, if possible, to
suppress both. In the English revolution of 1689, James the
Second fled the Kingdom, and William and Mary became the
sovereigns. The same year a popular uprising in Massachu-
setts deposed the royal Governor, Andros, from office, made him
a prisoner, and sent him to England for trial. England and
Holland declared war against France, and the dependencies of
these nations naturally acted in full sympathy with them. This
they faithfully did. ' ' Sir William Phipps,* afterwards governor
of the province of Massachusetts," and a native of Pemaquid,
had recently arrived in the country, under his appointment as
high sheriff for New England ; and as he was an experienced
seaman, the command of the colonial forces was entrusted to his
care. The General Court meditated an attack upon Port Royal
and Quebec. Eight small vessels and seven or eight hundred
men constituted the armament sent to Port Royal ; and sailing
from Boston early in the spring, in about two weeks he reached
his destination ; the fort surrendered with but little resistance,
yielding plunder sufficient to pay expenses. Sir William took
possession of the whole sea coast from Port Royal to New Eng-
land ; and three weeks later he returned to Boston.*

' ' The success of this enterprise encouraged the prosecution of
the design upon Canada ; and the expedition was hastened by the
horrible ravages of the Indians and French upon the frontier
settlements, and by the desire of the colonists to commend them-
selves to the favor of the king, from whom they were expecting
a renewal of their charter."

Assistance could not be obtained from the mother country, and
hence Massachusetts " formed an alliance with Connecticut and
New York," at a " Congress " held in the latter colony, deter-
mined to proceed on her own responsibility, and, while a land
army of eight hundred men was to march by Eake Champlain

*See Mather's Life of Phipps, Sec. lo. N. Y. Col. Doc, III, 720, and IX., 474-475 ;
Williamson's Me., I, 596 ; Rriefer is Quackenbos. History of U. S., p. 136 (Appleton.
N. Y., 185) ; See Mather's Life of Phipps, etc., as on preceding page.

14 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

to attack Montreal, her forces, consisting of upwards of thirty
vessels and about two thousand men, were to fall upon Quebec*

It was late in the season when this fleet sailed from Nantasket.
Intelligence of the march of the troops from Connecticut and
New York had reached Montreal. Dissensions among the
English paralyzed their strength, and they fell back to Albany.
Had it not been for this and the delay of Phipps' fleet, the fate
of Quebec would have been then sealed. This delay enabled
the French commanders to i)Ut their fortifications into the best
possible condition of defense. When on the 6th of October,
1690, they were summoned to surrender, they returned a scorn-
ful and indignant reply.

" By noon of October 9 the English assailants were fully sat-
isfied that the contest was hopeless, and allowed their vessels to
recede out of reach of the enemy's fire. The rear admiral's flag
had been shot away, and was seized by a Canadian who swam
out into the stream and brought it to the castle, and it was after-
wards hung up many years as a trophy in the church of
Quebec, "t

" Utterly discouraged, the assailants withdrew ; andreembark-
ing in their vessels in the utmost confusion, exposed to the fire
of the French, and abandoning their guns and the remnant of
their stores, they prepared to return home, humbled and disap-
pointed. Nor was the return voyage without damage ; for un-
acquainted with the passes of the river, nine vessels were
wrecked among the shoals of the St. Lawrence." +

The arrival of Sir William at Boston, with the remnant of his
fleet, spread an unusual gloom over the community.

Thus the expedition proved a disastrous failure, and the Mas-
sachusetts soldiers on their return found also a bankrupt
treasury.

2. Says Rev. F. G. Clark, " They had no money with which
to pay the soldiers, and so they resorted to the perilous method
of issuing bills of credit, or paper money, which very soon
depreciated in value, and brought untold misery upon the
people. The first issue of bills was called old tenor ; the second,
middle tenor, and the third, new tenor ; and all soon became
depreciated in value, the old tenor more than the others.
Finally, the mother country took pity on her colony, and sent
over seventeen cartloads of silver, and ten truck loads of copper

* Barry II, p. 79. t Barry Hist, of Mass., p. S4. N. Y. Col. Doc, IX, pp. 457, 488.
\ See Quackenbos School Hist., Kd. 79, p. 97.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 15

in 1749, to establish specie payments; and one Spanish dollar
was given for forty-five shillings of paper. This was called
lawful money, while the specie was called sterling, — making
five kinds of money. All through the earlier history of the
town these different currencies are mentioned. Sometimes the
bills of credit were called proclamation money, but usually old
tenor, or lawful money."*

3. Both the survivors of the expedition and their posterity re-
peatedly petitioned for some adequate remuneration of their ser-
vice as a means of relief. At last, iu 1735, more than forty
years after their enlistment, a tract of land equivalent to six
miles square was granted by the General Court of Massachu-
setts to Captain Samuel King and fifty-nine others. The
majority of these were from Salem, and hence the tract granted
them was first called Salem 'Canada, combining the name of
their town with that of the expedition.

4. How did Massachusetts obtain the right to grant lands in
New Hampshire? "Massachusetts claimed all lands lying
south and west of the Merrimack River, — claimed that her line
started three miles north of the mouth of the stream, and run at
that distance from the stream along its northern and eastern
bank up to the Pemigewasset, where the river forks, and where
the town of Franklin now is, and thence due west to the South
Sea. Her boundary, according to her charter, was to run
' everwhere ' three miles north of, and parallel to, the Merri-
mack, to its head, and from a point three miles north of its head
due west to the South Sea." t

" New Hampshire maintained that it was impossible to run a
line ' everwhere ' three miles north of a stream flowing mostly
southward ; " and, "therefore it ought to be drawn as near as
possible to what was supposed to be the fact when the charter
was given, viz., that the river came from the west. She there-
fore claimed that the line should start from a point three miles
north of the middle of the stream at its mouth, and run due west
to the south sea, or to other provinces." +

Commissioners appointed by both provinces met at Newbury
in 1 73 1, " disputed and separated," but decided nothing. In
subsequent years the dispute waxed hot and bitter, until in
1737 a board of commissioners from Nova Scotia, New York,
New Jersey and Rhode Island met at Hampton. The legisla-
tures of the two provinces also met within five miles of each

•Salem-Canada, p. 7. fPeterboro, Hist., p. 44. JHist. of Peterboro, p. 44-

16 insrORY OF r.YNDEBOROUnn

other, one at Hampton and the other at Salisbury. The occa-
sion was extraordinary, and "the procession, with the governor
riding in state attended by the great and general court, was an
imposing spectacle which was burlesqued in Hibernian style,
thus : *

" Dear Paddy, you ne'er did behold such a sight

As yesterday morning was seen before night.

You in all your born days saw, nor I didn't neither.

So many fine horses and men ride together.

At the head, the lower house trotted two in a row,

Then all the higher house pranced after the low ;

The governor's coach galloped on like the wind,

And the last that came foremost was troopers behind

But I fear it means no good to your neck or mine,

For they say 'tis to fix a right place for a line."

But with all this pomp and display the commissioners failed
to fix the matter. However, while the boundary was thus
under heated dispute, Massachusetts assumed a very patriotic
attitude toward the veterans of the fruitless and ill-fated Canada
Expedition, and the descendantvS of those who perished in it,
or had died since. For she hastened to make grants to them of
several townships out of the territory which she so uncon-
scionably claimed. The towns thus granted were Dunbarton,
Lyndeborough, New Boston, Richmond, Rindge, Salisbury and
Weare. Had Massachusetts succeeded in gaining her way,
very little of Mason's New Hampshire would have escaped her
grasp. But the eastern and northern boundary of New Hamp-
shire was fixed by the Commissioners at that time, as it now
stands. The southern line, however, was referred back to the
king for decision. "In 1740," says Dr. Smith, "the king in
council confirmed the northern boundary as fixed by the com-
missioners, and decided that the southern boundary should run
three miles north of and parallel to the Merrimack, to a point
north of Pawtucket Falls when the river turns north, and from
that point should run due west. They decided to execute the
charter, so far as it could be executed, by following the north
bank of the river ; and when the river turned so as to have no
north bank, they took a straight line. ' Had the river turned
to the south,' they said, 'instead of the north, Massachusetts
would have justly complained of a loss of territorj' by foUow-

•Rev. P. G. Clark, Salem-Canada, pp. i6, 17; also Hist, of Weare.

tSee Batchellor, State Papers, Vol. XXIV., Pref. VI; also History of Weare, p. 44;
History of Peterboio, pp. 45, 46.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 17

ing the stream, and the same rule ought to hold now that the
stream is found to come from the north.' " Now the course of
the river from Pawtucket Falls, now Lowell, to Newburyport,
is considerably north of east. In tracing the river up from its
mouth, therefore, when those Falls are reached, parallells run-
ning through both that point and Newburyport, will be fourteen
miles apart at the Falls. This decision of the line, therefore,
gave "New Hampshire a strip of land fourteen miles wide,
extending from the Merrimack to the Connecticut (fifty miles),
and containing twenty-eight townships, more than she had
ever claimed ! In 1741, the new line was run by New Hamp-
shire surveyors, Massachusetts refusing to take any part in it."

Many of the settlers had already begun to establish them-
selves in their new abodes before the decision of the line.
They were enjoying ''' placidani sub libertate quieteni," (placid
rest under freedom's sway) guaranteed by Massachusetts ; and
just as this sweet experience came to them, to wake up one fine
morning in " the leafy month of June," 1740, and find that the
Massachusetts line had receded from them full fourteen miles
to the south, leaving them among the cold, hj^perborean hills of
New Hampshire, was a sensation anything but pleasant. They
suffered an indescribable chill !

And Massachusetts S3'mpathized deeply with their deplorable
condition, and in her kindness to them refused any assistance
to New Hampshire in running the line. But New Hampshire
surveyors in 1741 did the work, just a century after the first
union with Massachusetts ; and the line thus surveyed still
remains, with very slight change, the southern boundary of
our State.

The right by which Massachusetts granted townships in
New Hampshire to her veterans and their descendants is thus
indicated. It was a right usurped and unjustifiable from the
first. Her jurisdiction over New Hampshire had been set aside
more than sixty years before; but not till 1740 had her terri-
torial limits been clearly and positively marked and specified.
But this very sati-sfactory result to the State brought serious
difficulty to many of the settlers.

The Masonian Ci^aims

The settlement of the boundary line between New Hampshire
and Massachusetts quite unsettled some matters of very grave
importance. If Massachusetts had made grants of townships

18 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

within New Hampshire territory where she had no legitimate
right of control, it is very clear that such grants would be
illegal and void. They were so regarded ; and the rightful
heirs to the lands so granted began to assert their claims to
them.

John Mason, the original grantee of New Hampshire, died
without male issue in 1635. He had but one child, his daugh-
ter Anne, who married Joseph Tufton and had two sons,
John and Robert. The oldest son died in childhood and the
inheritance passed to his brother Robert, who reached man-
hood in the troublous times of the first Charles, when the
nation was sorely rent by dissension and civil war. The Mason
family were royalists and when the iron hand of Cromwell
dashed royalist hopes and fortunes to shivers, they wisely
remained inactive and held their claims in abeyance, making
no assertion of their rights. It was an evil time. Confisca-
tion and attainder were rife and prudence dictated the policy
of silence. But after the Restoration Robert Tufton, who had
assumed the name of Mason in order to secure his title to the
inheritance, petitioned the King for a recognition of his rights.
The case was referred to the Attorney General, who reported
that " Mason had a legal right to New Hampshire."

For about thirty-seven yeaj-s Massachusetts had been govern-
ing New Hampshire. By what authority was a natural
question. She could produce none except the consent of the
governed, which by skilful manipulation she had been able to
secure. Commissioners were appointed to investigate and
determine matters of common and heated dispute. One of
these commissioners, Edward Randolph, was a relative of
Mason, who came to act in his interest. He was cordially dis-
liked by the Massachusetts authorities because he was too
open-mouthed and told too much truth. His caustic and too
vividly truthful delineations of the cruelties and usurpations
practised by that intolerant government were published in
England, and aroused not only roj^al but also popular indigna-
tion. As a result a revocation of the charter of Massachusetts
was threatened and a few years later was actually effected.

The claim of Mason was regarded as so strong, and was so
favored by the king, that the next year New Hampshire was
separated from Massachusetts and constituted into a Royal
Province with its own independent government.

But neither the New Hampshire government nor the people,

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 19

as a whole, favored Mason's claims. They were anxious, if
possible, to evade quit rents and defeat his title to the original
ownership of the soil. In this they failed. But their hostility
to his claims was so bitter and effective that his attempts to
secure any benefit from them were baffled. Members of the
new government combined with the people to defeat his claims,
though these had been adjudged by the highest authority in
the kingdom to be just and legal.

Robert Mason died in 1688, bequeathing his claims and con-
troversies to his sons, John and Robert. They soon sold their
rights to Samuel Allen, a wealthy merchant of London, who
was afterward commissioned as Royal Governor. But the
people were as bitterly opposed to him as to Mason, and he
died without receiving any special advantage from his purchase.
The law at a later day, decided that Allen's title was techni-
cally defective. The estate had been entailed, and the decision
was that its possessor had no power to sell or alienate it
beyond his own lifetime. Hence, after the death of John
Tufton Mason his brother Robert held legal title to New
Hampshire, in opposition to the claims of the heirs of Governor
Allen.

In 1743 it was, however, finally decided that Col. John Tuf-
ton Mason's right was unquestionably valid. After this decis-
ion he offered his estates for sale to the Provincial Government.
Action in regard to his offer was dilatory. He urged haste on
the ground that other parties desired to purchase. The
government finally came to a decision ; but too late ! On the
very day that they agreed to accept his offer he had sold his
lands, in fifteen equal shares, to a syndicate of twelve men in
Portsmouth, who afterwards managed and controlled them.
These men were thenceforth known as ' ' The Masonian Pro-
prietors," or often as "The Lord Proprietors of Mason's
Claims." Their names and the number of shares which they
owned will be found in Chapter V of this History. These hav-
ing purchased Mason's title afterwards compelled the settlers
to secure from themselves the titles which alone were valid, to
the lands on which they had planted their homes. Colonel
Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable became their agent ; and the
towns which had been previously chartered by the government
of Massachusetts found their charters annulled by the new
proprietors, and new titles to their lands must be procured
from him. These titles or charters were usually issued by the

20 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

proprietors of lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, Esq.,
and were sij:;ncd by their agent, Joseph Blanchard.

Having thus briefly glanced at several of the steps leading to
the history of our township, we are now ready to enter intel-
ligently into its direct record.

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PART I.

Salem-Canada and Lyndeborough.

CHAPTER I.

The Province of Massachusetts laid strenuous claim to a
large portion of New Hampshire to which both King and
Council agreed that she had no just right. A few years later
the same authority decided that the heirs of John Mason had a
valid right to all the territory granted to Mason in 1629.

But Massachusetts had for years been granting townships
in the very territory included by the bounds of Mason's charter,
as a reward to soldiers who had served in her wars. Salem-
Canada was one of the townships thus granted. We now
present some of the records of the Massachusetts legislature
bearing on the matter.

[Mass. House Journal, June 18, 1735.]

Colonel Chandler from the Committee for Lauds, reported on
the Petition of Samuel King^ and others, who were in the
Expedition to Canada in the year 1690, or the descendants of
such as were lost or are since dead ; which was read and ac-
cepted, and Voted,

* That the prayer of the Petition be granted, and that Mr.
Samuel Chandler and Captain John Hobson, together with such
as shall be joined by the honorable Board, be a Committee at
the Charge of the Government, to lay out a Township of the
contents of six miles square, West of the Narragansett-Tov^n-
ship. Number Three; and that they return a Plat thereof to
this Court, within twelve months for Confirmation ; and for the
effectual bringing forward the Settlement of the said Town ;
Ordered,

That the said Town be laid out into sixty-three equal shares,
one of which to be for the first settled Minister, one for the
Ministry, and one for the School, and that on each of the other
sixty shares the Petitioners do within three years from the

*BatcheUor, Vol. XXIV, p. 172.

22 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Confirmation of the Plan, have settled one good Family, who
shall have a House built on his Home-Lot of eighteen feet
square and seven feet stud at the least, that each Right or
Grant have six acres of I^and brought to and plowed or brought
to luiglish Grass and fitted for mowing, that they settle a
learned and orthodox Minister, and build and finish a conven-
ient Meeting-House for the publick Worship of GOD, pro-
vided that in case any of the Lots or Rights are not duly
settled in all regards as aforesaid, then such Lot with the
Rights thereof to revert to and be at the disposition of the
Province. Sent up for Concurrence.

[Mass. Court Records, June 19, 1735.]

* A Petition of Samuel King and others, who were in the
Expedition to Canada in the Year 1690 and the Descendants of
such of them as are dead, praying for a Grant of Land for a
Township in Consideration of their or their Ancestors Suffer-
ings in the said Expedition.

In the House of Represent" Read and Voted that the prayer
of the petition be Granted and that Mr. Samuel Chandler and
Mr. John Hobson, together with such as shall be Joined by
the Hon'''"' Board, be a Com**"^ at the Charge of the Govern-
ment to lay out a Township of the Contents of Six Miles Square
and West of the Narragansett Town Called Number three and
that they Return a Plat thereof to this Court within twelve
Months for Confirmation ; and for the more Effectual bringing
forward the Settlement of the said New town. Ordered that the
said Town be laid out into Sixty-three Equal Shares, One of
which to be for the first Settled Minister, One for the Ministry,
and one for the School, and that on each of the other Sixty
Shares the Petitioners do within three Years from the Confirma-
tion of the Plan have Settled One Good family who shall have
a house built oh his Home lott of Eighteen feet Square and
Seven feet Stud at the least, and finished, that each Right or
Grant have Six Acres of Land brought to and plowed or
brought to English Grass and fitted for mowing ; That they
Settle a learned orthodox Minister and build and finish a Con-
venient meeting house for the public worship of God ; pro-
vided that in Case any of the Lotts or Rights are not duly
Settled in all Regards as aforesaid, then such Lott with the
Rights thereof to Revert to and be at the Disposition of the
Province

♦BatcheUor, XXIV, p. 173.

SALEM-CANADA 23

In Council Read & Concurr'd and vSamuel Welles Esq' is
Joined in the Affair

(State Papers New Hampshire, Batchellor, Volume
XXIV. Town Charters, Vol. I.)

[Mass. House Journal, June i, 1736.]
A Plat of the contents of six miles square of lyand with an
allowance of one thousand and eighteen acres for Waste &c.
surveyed and laid out by Stephen Hosvter, Jun. Surveyor, and
two Chain men on Oath, to satisfy a Grant of this Court of the
1 8th of Ju7ie last, in an.swer to the Petition of Samuel King and
others, Officers and Soldiers in the Canada Expedition Anno
1690, and their descendants &c. was presented for allowance.
Read and Ordered, That the Plat be accepted, and the L,ands
therein delineated and described be and hereby are confirmed
to the Officers and Soldiers mentioned in the Petition of the
said Samuel King, and others, and the heirs legal Repre,senta-
tives and Descendants of such of them as were lost, or de-
ceased in or since the Canada Expedition Anno 1690, and to
their heirs and assigns respectively forever, they compljdng
with the Conditions of the Grant ; provided the Plat contain no
more than the quantity of twent3^-four thousand and fifty-eight
acres of Land, and does not interfere with any former Grant ;
the said Lands lying West of Salem Narragansett Town num-
ber Three, on the North of Souheeg River, beginning at a
Spruce Tree and runs North by the Needle two thousand one
hundred ninety one Perch on Province Land, and then East on
Province Land to said Township of Salem, South on the Town-
ship of John Simpson and others, West on Duxbury School
Farm.* Sent up for Concurrence.

Layd out In May 1736 a Township of the Contents of Six
Miles Square or 23040 acres and 1018 acres allowed for water
&c. which was Lay'd out to Sam" King and others Canada
Soldiers In the year 1690 Lying on the west of Salem Narra-
gansett Town No 3 on the North Side of the Souheeg River
Bounded as follows Beginning at a Spruse Tree and runs North
By the Needle 2 191 Perch on Province Land To a hemlock
Tree marked then Runs East 1558 Pearch on Province Land
To a Township adjoining To and Lying North of Salem Narra-
gansett Town No 3 then Runs South on Said Township 640
perch to Township, granted to John Simpson & others Then

* BatcheUor, XXIV., p. 174; Ibid, p. 176.

24 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Runs East on s" Township 402 perch To a stake & Stones
then runs South 1467 Perch on said Salem Narragansett Town
then runs west 480 Perch on Duxbury School Farm to a stake
and heap of Stones then Runs South 13 Perch on Said Farm
To a popler Tree Marked then Runs west 1460 perch To the
Spruse Tree First Named on Province L,and all which May
appear By the plan above Layd Down by a Scale of 216 Pearch
To an Inch the Swagg of Chain In this Township is 3 perch In
one Hundred : by order of the Honorable Sam" Welles Esq*^
and Mr. Sam" Chandler

■^ Stephen Hosmer Junr Surveyor

In the House of Representatives June i, 1736 Read and
Ordered that the plat be Accepted, and the Lands therein
delineated and described be and hereby are confirmed to the
officers and soldiers mentioned in the petition of the said
Samuel King and others, and the Heirs, legal Representatives
and Descendants of such of them as are lost or deceased in or
since the Canada Expedition Anno 1690, and to their Heirs &
Assigns respectively for ever they complying with the Condi-
tions of the Grant provided the plat contains no more than the
quantity of twenty-four thousand & fifty Eight Acres of Land,
and does not interfere with any former Grant. The said Land
lying West of Salem Narragansett town Number three on the
North of Souheeg River beginning at a spruce Tree & runs
North by the Needle 2 191 perch on province Land, &^then east
on province Land to Salem Narragansett Township Number
three South on the township of John Simpson and others,
West on Duxbury Schoorffarm

Sent up for Concurrence J. Quincy Spkr

In Council June 2 1736 Read and Concurred

J. Willard Sec'ry
17: Consented to, J. Belcher

[Mass. Court Records, June 2, 1736]

A plat of a Township of the Contents of Six Miles Square,
with the Allowance of One Thousand & Eighteen Acres for
Water &c.

Surveyed & Laid out by Stephen Hosmer junr. and Chain-
men on Oath, to Satisfy a Grant made by this Court in Answer
to the petition of Samuel King and others ; lying on the West
of Salem Narragansett Town Number three, on the North side
of Soheag River ; bounded as follows, beginning at a Spruce

SALEM-CANADA 25

Tree & Runs North by the Needle Two Thousand One hun-
dred & Ninety One perch on province Land to a hemlock Tree
Marked ; then Runs East one Thousand five hundred & fifty
Eight perch on province Land to a Township Adjoyning to &
lying North of the said Narragansett Town Number three ;
then Runs South on said Township Six hundred and forty
perch to the Township Granted to John Simpson and others,
then Runs East on said Township four hundred and two perch
to a Stake & Stones then Runs South One Thousand four
hundred and Sixty Seven perch on said Narragansett Town,
then Runs West four hundred & Eighty perch on Duxbury
School farm to a Stake and heap of Stones ; then Runs South
thirteen perch on said Farm to a poplar Tree marked ; thence
Runs West One Thousand four hundred and Sixty perch to
the Spruce tree first named on province Land.*

ADVERTISEMENT.

Notice is hereby given to all persons Claiming an Interest
in y^ Grant of a Township, made by y^ Great and Generall
Court or assemby to Samuel King & others who were, or are
Descended from such as were in y*" Expedition to Canada
Anno 1690,

That y*' Said Township is Laid out, and y*" Com' pur-
pose to meet att y*^ House of Mrs. Pratt att Salem, On Wednes-
day y*" ist Day of Sep" Next att Ten o'clock before noon to
admit persons according to y** Grant, and take bond for their
fulfilling the conditions.

p ord. of y'' Comitte

Samuel Wells
Boston July y® 8, 1736.

The meeting occurred in accordance with the above notice,
and the list of the persons admitted into the township on the
first and second days of September, 1736, follows:

A List of the persons admitted into y Township Granted
by the General Court to Capt. Samuel King and others on y*
first & second Days of September anno 1736.!

Capt. Samuel King on the right of Ensign John King
Capt. Samuel King on the right of John King's Servant
Joseph Blauey, Esq'', on the right of Joseph Blaney
Mr. Joseph Sweat on the right of Joseph Swesh

•BatcheHor, Vol. XXIV, p. 177. IProprs. Records, p. 4

26 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Mr. Roger Derby on the right of Charles Derby
Daniel Rpes Jun' on the right of Wm. Derby
William King on the right of Capt. Daniel King
Peter Martin on the right of John Martin
William Iline on the right of Benj» Norman
Daniel Epes Jun' on the right of Edward Britton
Thomas Cloutuian on the right of William Potes
William Webb on the right of John Smith
Benj^ Codner on the right of Christ" Codner
Joseph Halett on the right of Thomas White
Daniel p;pes Jun' on the right of John Legroe
]3avid Foster on the right of Jonathan Foster
Bartholomew Jackson on the right of George Jackson
John Dodd on the right of John Dodd
Samuel Osgood on the right of John Walk
Joseph Hilliard on the right of David Hilliard
Abell Robinson on the right of William Robinson
Cornelius Tarbell on the right of Nicholas Ford
Daniel Epes Esq', on the right of John Boen
Daniel Epes Esq', on the right of Richard Blanch
John Gyles Jun' on the right of John Andrews
Jonathan Peal on the right of George Peal
Ephraim Ingalls on the right of Samuel Clay
John Gardner on the right of Michael Coomes
Isaac Williams on the right of Jon"^ Williams
Robert Swan on the right of Joel Hunt
Daniel Epes Jun' on the right of John Pickworth
Edward Trask on the right of William Trask
Isaac Knap on the right of Isaac Knap
Simon Orn on the right of William Norman
Simon Orn on the right of Archeball Furgason
Stephen Daniel Jun' on the right of Stephen Daniel
John Bartell on the right of Thomas Forten
John Bartell on the right of Robert Bartell
Benj" Goodhue on the right of Thomas Searl
Isaac Knap on the right of Jam^ Knap
Joseph English on the right of Thomas Beadle
Samuel Swasey on the right of Stephen Swasey
Joseph Hilliard on the right of Edward Hilliard
Jonathan Verry on the right of John Verry
Jonathan Verry on the right of John Archer
John Procter on the right of Benj'' Procter
Phillip English on the right of Joshua Hollingsworth
Benjamin Lynde, Jr. Esq' on the right of Peter Collier
Capt. Joseph Bowditch on the right of William Bowditch
Mr. Joseph Hilliard on the right of Richard Petors
William Tapley on the right of Robert Tapley
William Tapley on the right of John Tapley
William Dixey on the right of Samuel Dixey
Samuel Wells Esq' on the right of John Beal

SALEM-CANADA 27

Mr. Joseph Clough on the right of Thomas Hendley
Joseph Lambert on the right of Samuel Lambert
Thomas Trott on the right of Hilliard Williams
Joseph Blaney Esq"^ on the right of Nicholas Merrett

The above is an Exact List of all the proprietors' names who
are admitted Grantees into the Township lying West of the
Narragansett Township No. 3.

Sam" Wells in behalf of y** Com^
chosen by y'^ General Court for y*^ purpose.

In the Mass. House of Representatives Dec. 17, 1736, it was
Ordered,

* That Daniel Epes, Esq., be authorized and impowered to
assemble and convene in some convenient place in the town of
Salem the proprietors or Grantees of this township, to choose a
Moderator, clerk, and to pass such votes as shall seem for the
general interest and advancement of the town, and further, to
agree upon a method of calling future meetings, as well as to
admit grantees to a draft of their home lots.

In accordance with the foregoing order of the Court, ' ' the
Proprietors or Grantees admitted into the Grant made the In-
habitants of Salem & Marblehead &c. In June 1735," were
notified to assemble together " at the house of Mrs. Margaret
Pratt Inholder in Salem, on Thursday the 3rd day of Feb^'
next at Eleven of y^ Clock in y*^ forenoon, To chuse a Modera-
tor, Proprietors' Clerk, &c. & to pass Such Votes & orders as
may be agreeable to y*^ bringing forward the Settlement of y*"
Township, and to agree upon methods how to call future
Proprietors' meetings, and also to admit y*^ Grantees to a Draft
of their home Lotts, and that every Grantee pay in his propor-
tion of money for laying out S'^ Lotts before he draws the same.

Daniel Epes
Salem Jan'^ y^ 20th 1736* (? 1737)

FIRST LEGAL MEETING.
Att a Legall meeting of y« pro^ of Salem-Canada Township att Mrs.
Pratt's Inholder in Salem on Thursday y* 3rd Day of Feb^ 1736.
(1737)

*The date 1736 seems an error ; for Jan. 20, 1736, is nearly eleven months earlier than
Dec. 17, 1736, the date of the Order of the General Court which authorized Daniel
Epes to call the meeting. Tonotifj- a corporation to meet at a date nearly a year in the
past, is absurb ; and the proper date should therefore be 1737.

See account of the First Division Rights drawn by the several proprietors at their
meeting Feb. 3, 1737. The latter date is manifestly the correct pne. Then follows an
account of the first legal meeting, a record of which is here transcribed, verbatim el
Hleratim, as a sample.

28 HISTORY OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Voted, Daniel Epes Esq' Moderator, and Daniel Epes Jun' proprie-
tors Clerk, and he was Sworn accordingly att y' meeting F Benj^
Lynde Jun' Jus' peace.

Voted, Beuj" Lynde Jun' Esq' Treasurer.

Voted, That four pound be raised on Each right in order to Defray
the Charges that have arissen on this propriy for y'^ surveying and
Laying out of y« Lotts and other Charges, y' have or may arise to y*^^
property.

Voted, A plan of y^ Township being presented to y^ proprietors by
y« Com' Some time since, Desired to Lay out y' home Lotts, Together
with Platts of the severall home Lotts as Laid out f a Skillful Surveyor
In quantity & quality according to a standard of 60 acres to Each Right.
Tliat the same be Excepted and y'' Severall Lotts be Confirmed to the
Severall Pro'" as they shall draw the Same.

Voted, That y*^ Prop'** Proceed to y* Drawing their home Lotts ;
Paying for Each Right four Pounds Voted as above before they Draw,
Inclusive of the fourty shillings already paid '^ Some of y« Proprietors.

Capt. Jn° Stephen's ace" for Surveying & Laying out S*^ home
Lotts am" to ^"88, 13s being Presented & Read,

Voted, that y'= Same be allowed and the acc° paid, Excepting £20
Charged to be for Laying out fourteen home Lotts, not yett Performed,
which y« S'^ Cap' Stephens is to Lay out, and on his doing y" Same to
be paid y'= S'' Twenty Pounds.

Voted, The following accounts of Charges for Laying out y*^ home
Lotts, be allowed & paid Viz'.

To Daniel Epes Jun' ^60, 2,
Maj' Blaney 13, 4, 3

Mr. Cornelius Tarbell 13, 2, o

Mr. Roger Derby 13, 5, 11

Mr. John Gardner 13, 13, 9

Voted, That Samuel Epes & Jn° Gyles Jun' be allowed ^10, each on
y* ab" S** account.

Voted, That vSamuel Chandler and Sam" Chandler Jun' be p"! Eleven
pound besides what they were paid by Daniel Epes Jun' and Charged
in his ace".

Voted, To chuse a Com' of five men (viz') Benj* Lynde Jvin' Esq',
Joseph Blaney Esq' Capt. Sam" King, Daniel Epes Jun' and Mr.
John Fowl, They or the maj" part of them is hereby fully Impowered
to call future pro'^ meetings and Draw orders on y*' Treasurer for y^
payment of y' Sums ab° Voted or any other Small Charges that may
arise.

Voted, That Notifications for calling future Proprietors meetings be
put up two att Salem two att Marblehead and one att Woburn.

Voted, Benj" Lynde Jun' Esq' take y' Seven Lotts that remains yett
to be drawn and keep them till y" adjournment of this meeting. Unless
they or any of them pay his or their money to Mr. Lynde then he or
they may Draw. This meeting was adjourned to y* Last Wednesday of
this Instant Feb? att Mrs. Margaret Pratts att one of the Clock in y"^
afternoon.

SALEM-CANADA 29

Att a meeting of y« Com' Feb^' y« 6th 1736, Ordered y' y« Clerk
Draw upon the Treas' for 3'* Payment of y*' Sums of money Voted ^
y« Prop" to be paid to y*" Surveyor and Com' &c. att their Last
Meeting.

Att y* adjournment.

Voted, That there be one Hundred acres of Land laid out on or adjoyn-
ing to both sides of stream that is convenient for Seting up a Saw Mill
and that 5'* Com' Hereafter to be chosen Lay out y* Same, and itt be
Reserved for y* Use of y*^ Propriety.

It being put to Vote whether you will now come to any further Divi-
sion or Divisions, it past in y* affirmative.

Voted, That there be Laid out to Each Propr"^ two more Divisions
Cont* one Hundred & Thirty acres Each, which Lotts are to be so
qualifyed & coupled bj' a Com' Hereafter to be chosen, as y' Justice may
be so Done to P^ach prop" as far as by them may be Done.

Voted, Mr. John Gardner One Hundred & Fifty Pounds for Laying
out one Hundred & twenty Six Lotts Each Containing 130 acres, and
also one Lott Cent" 100 acres for a Mill Lott, and to run y*' Lines all
round S** Lotts, and to mark & numb'^ Each Lott, and also to make
out y^ Extream Lines of y* Township where they are not yett Done, and
also to Lay out Highways between y* Lotts according to y^ Com' Direc-
tion, and to return a Propper Plan of y^ Same with y^ number on Each
Lott, and to be p'^ y^ s'^ one Hundred >!s: fifty Pounds in Thirty days
after y^ return of S'' Plann.

Voted, To chuse three men a Com' to Lay out S'^ Lotts Viz'

Mr. Thomas Fletcher \

Mr. John Gardner [ Com'

& Daniel Epes Jun' )

Voted, To give Mr. Gardner & Mr. Fletcher 15/ F Day they to find
themselves and Daniel Epes Jun"" 20/ ^ Day he to find himself.

Voted, That there be four pounds raised on Each Right to Defray y«
Charges for Surveying qualifying & coupleing y^ Second Divis" Lotts
Voted as above.

Voted, That Mr. Gardner with y'' Com' Sett out to Lay out & quallify
9'' Lotts ab" y^ Beginning of Apr'^ next, and Compleat the work by the
first Day of June Next.

Thus we have given a sample of the records of the proprie-
tors' meetings. Then follows an account of the first division
rights, or home lots, as drawn by the several proprietors at
their meeting Feb. 3, 1737.
Capt. Samuel King, one lot, No. 5 Daniel Epes, Jun. No. 51

One ditto

" "

Maj. Blaney

Peter Martin

One ditto

William Stone

Mr. Joseph Sweat

John Felton

Ditto for John Dowd

Timothy Cummings

Roger Derby

Joseph Richardson for Benj.

Daniel Epes Junr.

Codner

Ditto

Daniel Foster

HISTORY OF lA'Nni'inO ROUGH

Thomas Fletcher for J. Ililliard 38
Thomas Fletcher for Peters 18

Ephraini Ingalls for D. Hilliard 59
Ephraim Ingalls for Klson 40

Benj" Tapley 13

Benj" Taple)- 50

Cornelius Tarbell 25

Col. Daniel Epes 7

Col. Daniel Epes 44

John Gyles 46

Jonathan Peal 60

John Gardner 31

Isaac Williams 52

Robert Swan 55

Capt. John Stephens for J. Knaj)p 9
Capt. John Fowle Jun. 15

Simeon Orn for Furgiuson West 24
vSimeon Orn for William Norman 23
Capt. John F^owle Jun. for

Robbinson 62

Isaac Knapp for John Bartoll 14
John Bartlctt for Robert Bartlett 37
Benj^ Goodhue for Searle 58

Hugh Kelly for Swasy 28

George Deland for E. Hilliard 30

Samuel Osgood
John Proctor
Philip English Jun.
Benj'' Lynde Jr. Esq.
Capt. Joseph Bowditch
Fletcher for Wm. Dixc}^
Samuel Wells P^sq.
Thomas Trott for Williams

12
48
61

4
35
57
54

vSamuel Swasy for Jon" Lambert ir

Joseph Clough 45

Joseph Lambert 27

Joseph p;nglish for Beadle 21

Joseph Hallett 8
Edward Flardy for Jou^ Very 24E

Capt. Bowers for John Archer i

Edward Trask 16

Capt. William King 19

Capt. Barth" Jackson 36

Stephen Daniel Jr. 47

School Lot 32

Lot 33

Lot 34

CHAPTER II.

Salem-Canada Sawmills Roads & Meeting-house.

At the next legal meeting of the proprietors two points on
which to act, were " to consider of some proper method for
erecting a saw-mill in said Township, also to chuse a commit-
tee-man in the room of Capt. Samuel King who has disposed
of his Right in said Township."*

They voted at this meeting, June 21, 1737, "That the mill
lot be 130 acres, equal in quantity with the other 2nd. division
lots." On Dec. 26, 1738, they voted, "That Mr. John Cram
have Twenty Pounds in Bills of Credit, & the lot No. 39 in the
Second Division of lots, Allotted by the committee for the mill
lot to him & his heirs forever, upon condition that he build a good
& sufficient saw-mill on said lot, & cut boards for the Proprie-
tors at the halves, or equivalent for such of them as shall bring
logs. To be finished on or before the last day of August next,
& keeps in sufiicient repair for sawing during the term of fifteen
years, to commence from the said last of August."

A good saw-mill was a necessity for the new town, and we
learn that Mr. John Cram later gave bonds for its erection on
his lot No. 41, as the best place for the same, the proprietors
consenting thereto. When second division lots were drawn,
June 21, 1737, Deacon Nathaniel Putnam drew instead of Capt.
King, upon the home lot No. 5. He seems to have purchased
Capt. King's right in the township, and he became thereafter a
leading actor in the affairs of the town.

At the proprietors' meeting in May (28) 1739, it was voted
that a committee "be impowered to take Bond of Mr. John
Cram for his performing the conditions of building a saw-mill
on the terms voted at a meeting of the Proprietors in Dec. last."
There seems to have been some delay in erecting this mill, a
thing not surprising or blameworthy in primitive conditions.
However, at the Proprietors' meeting, on May 9, 1740, a peti-
tion was presented from their new proprietor, Mr. Nathaniel
Putnam, humbly showing, " that he hath lately builded a good
saw-mill in said town, at his own cost & charge, and as he
apprehends will be of great service to the said Proprietors now
before any other saw-mill be erected & fitted for sawing. He

*Props Rs., copied by Mr. J. H. Goodrich.

32 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

therefore most humbly prays that the said proprietors would
give him some consideration, as they in their wisdom shall see
meet, and as in duty bound shall ever pray.

Viz': Nathaniel Putnam."

He was at once voted a consideration of Ten Pounds which
was paid Sept. 15, 1741.* "This first saw-mill in Salem
Canada was in all probability just above Barnes's Falls in Wil-
ton."! But the saw-mill of Mr. John Cram was also built in
due time, not on the lot 39, first selected, but on lot 41 as
seemed preferable. IvOt 39 is west of South Lyndeborough,
on Rocky river, and lot 41, on Saw-mill brook, nearly east of
South Lyndeborough, just below where the saw-mill of Mr. E.
H. Putnam now stands. The last named gentleman is a lineal
descendant of both the original mill owners.

Roads.

After making provision for a good saw-mill, the proprietors'
attention was turned to securing good roads. "At the second
meeting of the proprietors, Nov. 21st, 1737," says Rev. Frank
G. Clark, "they voted to clear a road to the centre of their
township from Amherst, & to let out the building of the
road "by the great," that is, by the job. Thej^ also voted
that, " upon Mr. Cornelius Tarbell & Mr. Joseph Richardson's
clearing a good and sufficient cartway from the place where
Mr. Timothy Cummings left off clearing a way from Mr.
Waltron's in Narragansett No. 3 to or near Wainwood's brook, &
to clear said way to or near the centre of said Canada township
& building a good bridge over said Wainwood's brook, &
laying the bodies of trees and making good passable causeways
over miry places and over gullies & small brooks, so that a
laden cart may pass conveniently, that the said Tarbell &
Richardson be paid fifty-eight pounds."!

The road was cleared and the money duly paid to those who
did the work.

At the proprietors' meeting, March 7, 1738, it was learned
that some of the proprietors of the Ashuelots and other towns
on the upper parts of the Connecticut River proposed ' ' to cut
& bring the road from said townships across the woods, &
so into this Canada township, which if effected may be of
great advantage to this propriety; Wherefore Voted, that to
encourage the bringing of said road from the Ashuelots into

*See Prop. Records f Clark, p. 22. J Clark, pp. 20, 21.

SALEM-CANADA Z7>

this township, this Propriety engage and will make a good and
sufficient way from the place where the said road is brought
into this town to the end of the road cleared by Messrs. Tarbell
& Richardson, to or near the centre of said township." They
also appointed Capt. John Fowle, Mr. Joseph Richardson and
Mr. Cornelius Tarbell a committee to treat with a committee of
the other towns in regard to this road. The road was built ;
for in the record of the proprietors' meeting Dec. lo, 1741, it
was voted to pay Capt. John Fowle 4^ for his part of the work
on the Ashuelot road. At this last named meeting it was also
voted, "That there be a good cart-road cleared from Deacon
Putnam's saw-mill to the meeting-house, & that three pounds
be allowed for the same, to be drawn out of the Treasury."

Again at a meeting held Jan. 4, 1743, it was voted "That the
road from Peterboro through this Township be well cleared &
mended, so as to render it commodious for persons to travel
through the same & that Mr. John Cram is hereby inipowered
to do the same."

The Meeting-house.

Now, even before the settlers had succeeded in getting good
roads, they began to agitate, and set about building their meet-
ing-house. That they did so was no special evidence of piety
on their part. The very conditions upon which their town was
granted required this. Not only was their land obtained by
agreeing to fulfil this and other conditions, but possession of it
could not be maintained without a performance of their agree-
ment. The State of Massachusetts, the grantor of their town-
ship, held them to a strict compliance with her demands. They,
therefore, set out early to perform their task. Nor need it be
inferred that no house of worship would have been built had it
not been required, for some of the leading men in the town were
men of standing as Christians. Necessity and expediency alike
combined to incite them to act. The first point to decide was
the place on which to build. Accordingly, at the proprietors'
meeting, March 7, 1738, the same day on which they took
action in regard to the Ashuelot road, they appointed a commit-
tee consisting of Mr. Cornelius Tarbell, Capt. John Fowle and
Mr. Joseph Richardson to select a good spot for the meeting-
house, and " clear a road from the road already made by Messrs.
Tarbell and Richardson, to the said meetinghouse place."

The committee thus appointed reported May 28, 1739, that in

34 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

their opinion, " the most convenient place is partly on lot No. 41,
and partly on lot No. 44, upon the line running east and west,
and have cleared a road to said place." The proprietors voted,
May 28, 1739, to accept the report of the committee, and to
build a meeting-house 45 ft. long, 35 ft. wide, and 20 ft. stud.
Benjamin Lynde, Jr., Esq., agreed to give 20 acres of lot No.
44, and Mr. John Cram agreed to give 10 acres of lot No. 41 for
the meeting-house grounds.

Mr. Stephen Putnam, Mr. Joseph Richardson, and Mr.
Stephen Richardson were chosen a committee " to treat with a
person or persons to build and finish the meeting-house as cheap
as they can," and report proceedings at next meeting for the
proprietors' acceptance. At the next meeting July 2nd, 1739,
the committee reported that they had not been able to find ' ' a
person or persons that will undertake to finish the same by the
Great. "The same committee was appointed " to build and sett
up a good frame for a meetinghouse, workmanlike," on the
place allotted for the same, on or before the i6th day of May
next, and " underpin the said frame with good, handsome
stones," — "as cheap as may be." There was failure to do
this in the given time; and again on October 21, 1740, it was
voted, "that the raising of the meeting-house be deferred till
next spring, and that L,ieut. Joseph Richardson take care and
secure the timber from the fire," &c.

Thus, the securing of the meeting-house seems to have been
attended with much difficulty and delay. Nor is it surprising
that it should have been so, for even in our own daj^ with every
facility at our command, it is no trifling matter to secure the
fulfilment of a contract for either labor or materials within speci-
fied time. But in those early days the workmen were scarce,
and the materials were often inaccessible. Things moved more
at the pace of the oxen and cart than at that of the railway and
steam engine. The building of the meeting-house, therefore,
seems to have dragged along discouragi^gl3^

It will be remembered that it was in 1740 that King George
decided the controversy about the boundary line between this
State and Massachusetts, and that the settlers of this town were
from the Bay State, and were not a little worried at finding
themselves without consultation or consent made a part of New
Hampshire. The decision had the effect of unsettling people's
minds, and creating great uneasiness. They were uncertain
even as to the tenure of their lands and the validity of their

SALEM-CANADA 35

titles to them, and in case of defect or annulment of title,
whether they should receive any compensation for their clear-
ings, buildings and improvements. The air was full of uneasi-
ness and discontent. These phantoms of the times, no doubt,
served greatly to retard their efforts in the good work. But
courage and hope soon gave stability and firmness to their ac-
tion, and in May, 1741, they voted that " the meeting-house be
underpinned, raised, and covered forthwith," The dimensions
were, meantime, considerably altered. The length was to be 30
feet instead of 45, while the original width and height were to
be retained.

On the 9th of September following, the vote of May was sup-
plemented by another vote, empowering Cornelius Tarbell,
Lieut. Stephen Putnam, and Lieut. Joseph Richardson to get
the meeting-house raised on the 24th day of September, instant,
and " that they take sufficient care that it be done."

The following accounts are interesting in this connection : —

Salem, Aug., 1740.
Accounts of work done about the meeting-house at Salem,
Canada : —

Mr. Cram, 6 days at 12s. per day,
" Leniau, 4 days, 40s. ; Mr. Buffee, 2 dys. 20s.
" Joseph Richardson, 15 dys. at 17s. 6d.
" George Goold, 15 dys. at 12s.
" John Deal, 8 dys. at 12s.
" Stephen Putnam, 15 dys. at 17s. 6d.

Salem, June 11, 1741.

Mr. Cram, i day, 12s. ; Jacob Putnam, 2>2 dys. at 12s
" John Deal, 10 dys. at 12s.
" Joseph Richardson, 15 dys. at 17s. 6d.
" " Richardson's son, 13 dys. at los.

" George Goold, 15 dys. at 17s. 6d.

"Allowed, and ordered that the Treasurer pay the same accordingly."

Daniel Epes, Jun., Proprs.' Clk.

We give here the accounts of Lieut. Tarbell and others for
the raising of the meeting-house :

Stephen Putnam,

t I2S. 2

Stephen Putnam,

36 HISTORY OF J.YNDEBOROUGH

Salem, Oct. 7, 1741.

£ s. d.

To 21 Ga" Rum of B. Lyude Jr. Esq^ @ 12s. F 12 12 o

" 2 q'" fish of Mr. Bickford @ 40s. 400

" 2olh sug"^ & I ga" rye of Capt. Jos. Bowditch 3148

" 20 spikes ^: rings of Jos. Clough 30/ i 10 o

" cart hire 20/ 2 horses' hire 25/ 3 10 o

" 25t}> cheese 30/ lolb cheese 10/ of John Felton 200

" 2 bus" meal & Bread 5/ i 13 o

" 7 days myself (^'i 15/ 5 5°

" 8 days my sou @ 10/ 400

" Keeping horses 10/ i Cask 10/ of Eph. Ingalls i o o

" 2oll> Butter of Jon'' Hill 60/ ;^ bus. meal Jo" Cram 12/ 3 12 o

42 16 8
Cornelius Tarbell.

The account was examined and allowed Jan. 7, 1742.

Stephen Putnam and others also presented their account for
their work about the meeting-house, and clearing roads Sept.
16, 1741 : —

John Deal 3 days' work at 12/

Ephraim Putnam 2 days work with a pair of oxen, & i day him-
self 48/
Lieut. Jos. Richardson 12 days @ 15
Jacob Putnam i day 12/
Mr. George Goold 11 days
Myself, II days @ 15/
Mr. Cummins for pewter and help 25/ son clearing roads 8/

28 6 o
Stephen Putnam.
The above account was examined and allowed Jan. 7, 1742.

The account of Joseph Richardson and others for making a
bridge over Wainwood's Brook, bears date of Dec. 19, 1741 :

To nij-self 10 days at 15/ 7

Mr. John Cram 3 days at lu/ i

" Buffee 2 days at 8/ o

William Peabod)' and his oxen 13/ o

10 9
Jos. Richardson.
The above was examined and allowed Jan. 7, 1742.

SALEM-CANADA 37

Contract for Finishing the Merting-house.

Mr. John Gansou appearing to undertake the finishing the
meeting-house at Salem-Canada, Voted, "that there be given
him One Hundred Pounds for the same ; viz', Boarding the
sides and ends of the house, and feather-edging the boards,
boarding and shingHng the roof, putting on the weather boards
and finishing the covings ; making and hanging all the outside
doors ; finding and laying the sleepers ; and laying a double
floor in the meeting-house, and finding and placing pillars
under the galleries ; and the said Ganson is also to find all
materials of boards, shingles, nails, hinges and all other things
for the finishing the work as aforesaid ; and the standing com-
mittee are desired to enter into articles for performing the con-
tract with said Ganson." At the proprietors' meeting Aug.
23, 1743, there were added to the specifications above given,
that there should be six seats made on each side, and a " con-
veniency for the minister to stand in to preach, and to glaze the
said house with glass 7 inches one wa}^ and 9 inches the other
way ; and to make five windows."

The committee appointed doubtless entered into agreement
with the contractor. But we learn from a source outside of the
proprietors' records, of a petition, a copy of which follows :

Petition.

"To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New
Hamp\

The petition of the Inhabitants of Salem-Canada in said
Province, Humbly Shews.

That your petitioners live in a place Greatly exposed to the
Indians and have not men Sufficient for to Defend us, That
tho' there be but few of us yet we have laid out our estates to
begin in this place So that we shall be extremely hurt if we
must now move off for we have there by the Blessing of God
on our labors a fine crop of corn on the ground and tho' we
have a Garrison in the Town Built by Order of Maj' Lovell yet
we have no body impowered so much as to set a watch among
us nor men to keep it ; we would therefore pra^^ your Excel-
lency that we may have some assistance flora the Government
in sending us some souldiers to Guard and Defend us as in your
wisdom you shall think proper. Tho' we are but newly added
to this Government yet we pray your Excellency not to dis-

38 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

regard us but so to assist us that we may keep our estates and
do service for the government hereafter & your Petitioners as in
duty Bound shall ever pray.*
Salem-Canada
June 26, 1744.

John Cram Jr. John Dale

Joseph Cram Jonathan Cram

Samuel Leman Ephraim Putnam

John Cram Benjamin Cram

David Steven.son Abraham Leman
John Stevenson

After perusing this petition in its chronological order, it will
occasion us less surprise to read in the proprietors' records of
July 25, 1744, " Voted, That nothing more be done to the meet-
house at present than to shingle it and board it so as to secure
it from the weather, and that it be done forthwith by the com-
mittee chosen for that purpose." Evidently things were not
pursuing the even tenor of their way. The uncertainties
which prevailed in reference to a number of things are doubt-
less reflected in this vote, to do nothing more to the meeting-
house than shingle and board it "so as to secure it from the
weather." The petitioners state that they had been " newly
added to this Government." In the contention about the
boundary line New Hampshire won much more than she had
claimed. Enough territory to make 28 good townships, over
and above her claim, had been given her by the decision of
King George, and this town, claimed by Massachusetts and
granted to the settlers, was placed beyond her control, and sub-
ject to the government of New Hampshire. This change of
boundary and jurisdiction made them fearful that their titles
would be invalidated.

But that was not all. The Masonian ownership of the soil
was under agitation. If their farms were in New Hampshire,
then the claim of Mason's heirs, which the highest legal author-
ity had affirmed to be valid, covered their holdings, and thej'
must secure a settlement with Mason before they can be sure of
their possessions. John Tufton Mason was attempting to sell
his right and title to the Government of New Hampshire.
Negotiations were protracted and at last embittered. Doubt
as to the outcome of those proceedings caused hesitancy, and

* N. Bouton, Town Papers, Vol. IX, p. 535.

SALEM-CANADA 39

the effect of any sale which might be made, kept them in sus-
pense and uncertainty.

Then added to all else, a war cloud arose between the mother
country and Spain, and the fear that France would assist Spain
and send the savage red men into their unprotected settlements
haunted them. They had heard of the warwhoop, the toma-
hawk, the scalping knife, the torch, and captivity in Canada,
but had supposed that all these were things of the past, not
likely to return. But now the horrid phantoms seem on the
point of appearing once more. Menacing specters began to
haunt the forests, and hovered uncomfortably near their homes
and hearths. The surprise is, that they did not forsake their
primitive cabins and return to the more cheerful towns of the
old Bay State, to Woburn, and Salem, and Danvers, and
Marblehead. Had there not been brave, hopeful, determined
hearts among both men and women, they would hardly have
endured the toils, privations, loneliness and fears of their un-
promising situation, so remote from social advantages, so de-
fenceless and exposed to prowling savages. But they came to
stay. Their courage was equal to their trials, and even
triumphed over all their hindrances.

Thus, b}' all these causes they were no doubt influenced to
postpone somewhat the completion of their house. During this
same 3'ear, 1744, Amherst people were at work on their meet-
ing-house, and voted '' to lath and plaster " it "in case there is
not an Indian war next fall." * In the petition of Rev. Daniel
Wilkins, pastor in Amherst, in 1744, he says, "That as war is
already declared against France, Snd a rupture with the Indians
hourly expected, your memorialists, unless they have speedy
help, will soon be obliged to forsake their town, how disservice-
able soever it may be to the crown, dishonorable to the govern-
ment, hurtful to the province and ruinous to ourselves."
"This petition was presented at Portsmouth, June 22, 1744,
and, in answer to it, scouts were provided for Amherst and
Salem-Canada (now lyyndeborough) on the west."

*.\mherst Centennial of Meeting-house, p. 10.

CHAPTER III.

Sale of Mason's Estate.

The years 1 745-6 seem to have been comparatively unevent-
ful for the settlers, save that 1746 decided the negotiations of
Mason for the disposal of his estates. The Provincial legisla-
ture, in their rivalry with the Governor and his council, had
dallied too long and lost their opportunity to deal directly with
Mason. While they wasted time in their bickerings one with
another he sold his property to a syndicate of twelve men in
Portsmouth, who were afterwards known as the Masonian pro-
prietors, the purchasers and proprietors of Mason's claims.
Henceforth, Salera-Canada proprietors and settlers have to
treat with the new owners of the soil.*

"The Masonian Proprietors."

" At first the purchase was divided into fifteen shares. The
owners were Theodore Atkinson, three-fifteenths ; Mark Hunk-
ing Wentworth, two-fifteenths; Richard Wibird, John Went-
worth, John Moffat, Samuel Moore, Jotham Odiorne, George
Jaffrey, Joshua Peirce, Nathaniel Meserve, all of Portsmouth,
Thomas Wallingford, of Somersworth, and Thomas Packer, of
Greenland, to the last ten one-fifteenth each. Previous to the
date of the charter of this town (Rindge), the number of shares
was increased to eighteen, an^ nine more persons were admitted
to a common partnership. The new members of the associa-
tion were : John Rindge, Joseph Blanchard, Daniel Pierce,
John Tufton Mason, John Thomlinson, Matthew Livermore,
William Parker, Samuel Solley, and Clement March, "t

But there seems to be evidence that in these years material
progress in this town was much interfered with. For, in May,
1747, Rev. Daniel Wilkins, Pastor at Amherst, petitions the
Government once more for protection, stating, " That when we
began our settlement we apprehended no danger of our ever
being a frontier, there being at that time so many above us
begun and oljligated to fulfill the conditions of the Massachu-
setts grants, which occasioned us to settle scattering, only re-
garding the advantage of good and compact farms. +

•See Hist, of Rindge, pp.41 and 42. t Stearn.s, Ezra S. Hist, of Rindge.

JN. Bouton Town Papers, Vol. IX, pp. 7, 8.

SALEM-CANADA 4i

" That the difficulty of war happening so early on our
settlements, and the defenceless condition they were in, has
obliged them all, viz., Peterborough, Salem-Canada, New
Boston, and Hillsborough (so-called) entirely to draw off, —
as well as the forts on the Connecticut river left naked, — where-
by we are now left as much exposed as any of the frontiers on
Merrimack river.

' ' That the first j^ear of the present war we were favored with
a scout from this province (which we thankfully acknowledge),
and Salem Canada with another, which was equally serviceable
to us. Since that time both Salem Canada and this place has
had a guard from the Massachusetts till the winter passed,
together with our inhabitants keeping a constant scout (though
much impoverished thereby.)

" That this encouragement has occasioned our venturing here
till now.

" That as we are now left without either scout or guard, (we)
apprehend we are in imminent danger, yet loath to yield our-
selves such an easy prey to our enemies, or suffer ruin b)' leav-
ing our improvements waste, — one whereof we have no reason
to think but must unavoidably be our lot unless the govern-
ment compassionately grants us protection."*

This indicates that Salem-Canada was a sharer with its
neighbors in the fears and inquietudes of the time. Some of
the children of the first families in this town were born else-
where. " The second child of Ephraim Putnam was born in
Salem ; the oldest child of Melchizedeck Boffee was born in
Litchfield ; the oldest sou of Jacob Wellman was born in Dun-
stable, because, as the family record says, "his parents had
gone there on account of the depredations of the Indians."!

A note appended to the historical address of Hon. W. B.
Towne published with the account of the centennial cere-
monies of the dedication of the meeting-house at Amherst, in
1874, implies that it was almost an act of benevolence on the
part of Massachusetts that she " granted military aid to this
infant settlement five years after it had been adjudged within
the jurisdiction of New Hampshire." It would be unfair to
deny Massachusetts the credit of rendering a most excellent
service. But did not this act have in it a measure of self-
protection ? These infant settlements were the outmost guards,

•Centennial of Amherst Meeting--house, by Dr. J. O. Davis, pp. 13, 14.
t Salem-Canada, pp. 23, 24.

42 HISrOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

the advance posts of civilization ; and Massachusetts well
knew that if these barriers were burst by the marauding sav-
ages, her own homes and firesides could have no assured
safety. It argued the rather, a wise and comprehensive policy
on her part, that she sent forward her scouts and aided the
pioneers to maintain their newlj^ planted, wilderness abodes.
Thus could she most effectively secure the safety of her own
citizens.

But the citizens of Salem-Canada must endure ^-et another
trial. Many and various petitions are in circulation about this
time. Among these was that of Samuel Dustin and others of
the Haverhill and Methuen Districts, for which see Batchellor,
Vol. XXVII, p. 401, and Vol. XXIX, p. 236. The latter page
refers not only to that of Samuel Dustin. but also to one which
proved much more mischievous ; for the reason that it was suc-
cessful, and also injurious in its results. For this reason I
transcribe a copy of it which was forwarded "To the Gentle-
men Purchasers and Proprietors of Capt. John Tufton Mason's
Right to Lands in y*" Province of New Hampshire ; " and was
endorsed by Nicholas White and Nathaniel Bartlet.

I give it verbatim et lite7'atim, omitting the preamble :

[Petition for Grant, 1748]
[Masonian Papers Vol. 8, p. 127]

Portsmouth November 2" 1748.

" To His Excellency Bening Wintworth Esqr. Capt Generall
and Governer In Chief In and over His majesties Province of
New Hampshier To the Honr'^ Councel In S'' Province

*May it Plees your Excellency & Honners It haveing been
Practist to Grant tracts of Lands to Such Persons as Have dun
servis In y*^ wors and In Hopes of obtaining the Like favour
wee 5-oour Humble petitioners would Gest mention Sumthing
wee Have dun Sum of us was Present at the taking Poortrial
others at Capertoon others In Hopes of Doing Great Servis
Inlisted against Canodi and others of us Have Suffered greatly
Not onely In y*^ Present but former wors yet so It Hath hapned
No lands have been Given to us as yeat and being Greatly
Stratned for want thereof & finding Sum Lands Not Laid out
betwixt a place Cold Salem-Canody & a Remote place Cold
grotten if your Excellency & Honnours would be Please** to
Grant us out of s** Lands a Nuf for a Small town Ship of Six

•Batch, XXVIII, p. 446.

SALEM-CANADA 43

or Eight miles Squeare, or So niucli as you in your Wisdum
Shall think Best it would Greatly oblidge your Humble peti-
tioners. Nicholas White

Nathaniel Bartlet."

To this petition were fiftyone other names subscribed. It
seems to have been the first occasion of the dismemberment of
Salem-Canada. Three days later, the following obligation was
assumed by Col. Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable :

Portsmouth November 5*'' 1748.
*"Gen»" Ibe Prop" of Masons Grant &c»

Whereas I the Subscriber have this day
Rec** your Request and Authority to Lay out into townships the Lands As
therein described And to Admit Setlers at my descretion And On Such
Conditions on your behalf as I Shall think Equitable I hereby Oblidge my
Self to Reserve on Quarter part at the least And As much more as the
Expediency of the Setlement will Allow of &c the township to be
Allotted out and the Setlers at the whole Charge therein And will Con-
stantly Acquaint You with my proceedings thereing

I am V Hum'' Ser«

Jos, Blanchard,"

Again, under date of Nov. 30, 1748, he (Jos. Blanchard) sent a letter
from Dunstable to " The Venerable Society of Mason Hall," after having
entered upon his work as their agent, in which he stated, " I have wrote
to the Proprietors' Clerk of Groton and the Proprietors Clerk of Town-
shend, Intimating y* Authority you gave me. Particularly that at my Dis-
cretion I was to Admit Inhabitants, and if they inclined to Setle I should
Accommodate them as far as I Could in faithfulness to my trust provided
I had their Answer in twenty days to the vSame purpose I have Wrote
Coll" Berry one of y* Principal Proprietors of New Ipswich and to Sev-
erall of the Proprietors of Rowley Canada, Desireing a positive Answer.
This has sufficiently Allarm'dthe vicinity, And Application has already
been made for twice the Quantity of Land you Left with me to dispose
of ... I appi-ehend I Shall Quietly Succeed, unless Coll" Berry be
Poutey and Sullen on Behalf of New Ipswich, Which Since I have entered
upon it Desire under your directions my Liberty may be Continued to
Setle with him, or Any Others that Shall be Obstinate. The Writings
I'm not Capable of forming, shall depend on them being done at Ports-
mouth. The Proprietors of Souhegan West, Since I was at Portsmouth
have Divided their Com'ons and I hear bid Defiance to your Title, if no
Notice be taken of them I apprehend it will have An ill effect and per-
haps create you a Squabble with many other towns, and your Setting up
your Bristles early might put an end to it. (but as to y* you know best
whattodo.)"t

And they proceeded to set them up quite early, as the follow-
ing communication will show.

* Batch, XXIX, pp. 232, 233. t Batch, XXIX, p. 234.

44 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Portsmouth Deer 3'' 1738
S' We have both your I^etters before us as to that of y^ 30th of the last
month for which we are obliged we greatly approve of your Scheme and
y'^ Progress you have made and hereby give you full Power of agreeing
with any person of note that can be Serviceable in Securing y^ Peace and
Quiet of the Settlers either in New Ipswich or other Town as to Souhe-
gan West if they should be troublesome they can expect no favor from
this Society and we shall soon prosecute Some of the foremost in the
Opposition which if you think proper please to inform them of and let us
know the men."*

tFurther ; in response to an overture for settlement from the inhabi-
tants of New Boston in May 1751, the Masonian proprietors voted June
10, 1751, that "Joseph Blanchard Esq. be and hereby is Authorized and
fully impowered to Settle agree and Compound all Claims and Demands
Differences Disputes and Controversies whatsoever made being and Sub-
sisting between the Said Proprietors and the Claimers of the Said Tract
of land under the Said Government as fully and amplj^ to all Intents
and purposes as said Proprietors themselves.":!:

Again; those proprietors voted in November of the same year 1751, in
regard to towns No. i, No. 2, New Ipswich, and Peterboro Slip, so called,
that, " in as much as the Said Joseph Blanchard hath been at much
trouble Cost and Charge in managing carrying on and Effecting the
Said Business and whereas in each of the said Tracts of land so granted
one of the Said Reserved Shares is drawn by and entered to the said
Joseph Blanchard Therefore, Voted That all the Right and Interest of
the Said Proprietors of in and to each of the said shares so drawn by and
entered to the Said Joseph Blanchard Shall be and hereby is granted
unto him the Said Joseph Blanchard to have & to hold the Same unto
him the Said Joseph Blanchard his heirs and Assigns in Severalty for
his Service in doing the aforesaid Business. "§

The petition before cited, of Nicholas White, Nathaniel
Bartlet and others, seems to have received speedy attention ; for
early in June of the following year, Joseph Blanchard made
such an assault upon the south side of the old town of Salem-
Canada as has never ceased to grieve and annoy many of its
worthy citizens. At an adjourned meeting of the Salem-
Canada proprietors in Salem, Mass., June 27, 1749, it was
voted, that, " Whereas the committee heretofore chosen to treat
with Col. Joseph Blanchard relating to the claimers under
Mason (according to their verbal reports) have not agreed with
him; Therefore, Voted, the Hon. Benjamin Lynde, Joseph
Blaney, Benjamin Pickman Esq. and Maj. Joshua Hicks a
committee to confer with said Blanchard, and make the best
enquiry with the claimers and also their demand ; and to agree

*Batch, Vol. XXVII, pp. 63 and 64. tHist. of New Boston, p. 67.

tBatch, XXIX, p. 441. §Batch, Vol. XXIX, p. 437.

SALEM-CANADA 45

and settle with him in behalf of said claimers on the best terms
they can in behalf of the Proprietors ; to the which agreements
the said Propriety determine to abide by, and this vote shall be
the said Committee's power to effect the same."*

Daniel Epes Jun Pro. Clerk.
From the last mentioned date till Jan. 22, 1753, no entry is
made in the records of Salem-Canada. But on May i, 1753, it
was voted by the proprietors " to choose a committee of seven
persons to effect the settlement of the Propriety in securing the
whole land laid out and to be laid out, according to the pro-
prietors agreement with Joseph Blanchard Esq., as also the
building of a meeting-house according to said agreement, and
to get a plan of the land and lots when laid out, to transmit a
list of persons admitted into said Propriety to said Blanchard,
and to get a patent of said lands drawn and executed by said
claimers under Mason, and to do what may be thought proper
and to the advantage of the propriety." The committee chosen

were :

Hon. Benjamin Lynde, Esq.

Benjamin Pickman Esq.

Daniel Epes Jun.

Joseph Blaney Esq. ) Committee.

Maj. Joshua Hicks

Mr. Stephen Putnam, &

Mr. Benjamin Goodhue.

The time which elapsed between June, 1749, and March 20,
1753, seems to have been passed in trying to effect an agree-
ment, which appears to have been accomplished only with great
difficulty. The indications point to a coercion of the commit-
tee by the agent, into consent to a procedure which was in no
way agreeable to them. There was no escape from the validity
of Mason's claims, nor from the clutches of those who had
purchased his rights. If the Salem-Canada settlers wished to
retain their lands, new titles to them must be secured. The
agent of the Masonian proprietors was empowered to make
terms at his discretion ; and his discretion in this instance
seems to have been to make their surrender of a large tract of
Salem-Canada towmship, a condition of obtaining a charter for
the residue of the town. An exaction like this the committee
could not have endured except under dire pressure. Their ac-
quiescence in it was evidence of their inability to do better.

♦Props. Rs, 1749.

46 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Having thus, Shylock like, exacted his pound of flesh, blood
and all, the agent took and joined it to the tract called Gioton
Gore, and constituted the new township which he called No. 2,
which at a later day was chartered by the Provincial Govern-
ment under the name of Wilton.

*It may be interesting to note that in the new town, Mr. Blan-
chard was both a grantor and grantee, thereby being entitled to
draw six lots. His lots were numbered on the original plan of
Wilton, 8 in each of ranges three and four, 20 in range two,
5 in range four, 10 in range three, and 4 in range eight. Thus
lie was permitted to draw equal rights with the Masonian pro-
prietors in every town which he succeeded in organizing. The
more towns, the more farms and money for the agent and his
venerable principals. Groton Gore might easily have been
parcelled out to Monson or Raby or to Peterborough Slip, as a
portion of it was at a later day, and it would have made a wel-
come addition to their scant territory. But that course, would
not add the farms and pounds sterling to the propert}' of the
grantors and their agent. Thej^ would gain much more by
striking at the heart of Salem-Canada, and compelling it to
deliver up some of its choice treasures, both of land and inhab-
itants, to construct with them township number two. The
latter scheme would result in much greater profit to the gran-
tors ; and the multilated town would do better to refrain from
being " pouty or sullen " about it, like Col. Berry.

In its attempt to settle with this agent, Amherst learned that
charters were " costly things," although her inhabitants were
required to pay but fifty-one shillings sterling monej^ each, to
the grantors, and three shillings like money to the committee
for " time Expenses and trouble in procuring " the grant. t

+ The grantees of New Ipswich were less favored, for
they had to "pay fourteen Pounds Cash, old tenor" at the
executing of their grant. But these expenses were still moder-
ate compared with those of the town called number one
(Mason.) This, though entitled to rank first in accordance
with its number, was placed a full calendar month behind num-
ber two, in the date of its charter. And again, while no ex-
pense of settlement is stated in regard to the latter, the expense
for each settler in number one, was " thirty pounds Cash Old
Tenor." No definite statement of the cost of Salem-Canada's

* Batch, Vol. XXVIII, pp. 450 to 453 and plan. t Batch, XXVII, 72.

1 Batch., XXVIII, 117.

SA L EM' CA NA DA 4 7

cliarter has been discovered. But there is little reason to sup-
pose that there was any omission of expense, or that the cum-
brous document was conferred as a gratuity.

The Masonian proprietors and their agent do not, however,
seem to have been wholly unconscionable in their dealings
with Salem-Cauada.* For, they made a pretence of adding to
it on the north as much territory as they took away on the
south. The sop was unsatisfying. How thoroughly the adding
of it was a pretence is shown, when less than two years later, a
large portion of it was annexed to New Boston, thereby mak-
ing that town " Seven miles long by six miles broad." t

The New Boston charter shows that, beside his own allow-
ance for service, the agent further secured that one half right
in the New Boston settlement should be granted to Joseph
Blanchard, Jr., then twenty-two years of age, and together
with this, "two Lotts in the Great Meadow." requiring that
the reservations for him, Joseph Blanchard, Jr., should be like
those of the grantors," free from all Dutys, Taxes, Charges, or
Expence whatsoever until improved by the Owner or Owners,
or some holding under them." In view of the recent generous
addition made to its territory, New Boston would surely be
very ungrateful to refuse Joseph Blanchard, Jr., a trifle like that.

More attention has been given this man than his merits
warrant, or that he would have received, but for the great
injury which he did to the early settlers. That the injury was
deeply felt from time to time by the citizens of Lyndeborough
will occasion little surprise to persons fully informed in regard
to the facts. Their sense of the injury done the town is on
record in a remonstrance against a further division of the town,
which was presented to the legislature in 1784, bearing the
honored names of Levi Spaulding, Ephraim Putnam, and
Peter Clark. They state, that "there was a large piece of the
Town taken off from the South part of Said Town and Added
to Wilton, by Joseph Blanchard Esq' who was agent for the
Masonian Proprietors, which was a great dammage to this
Town." These worthies did not state all the respects in which
it was a damage. But to us it is clear ; first, that it weakened
the settlement at a time when it was far from strong, and that
too while a cruel Indian war was distressing it ; secondly, it
gave Wilton many choice farms, together with some of the fore-
most citizens ; thirdly, it added territory on the north, and thus

•Batch. XXVIII, p. 59. t New Boston H'y, p. 68.

48 HISTORY OF LVNDEBOROIJGH

left the mountain near the middle of the town, separating its
inhabitants and making united action verj^ difficult ; and fourthly,
the pcoj)le, thus separated, felt it necessary to seek better con-
veniences elsewhere, and consequently a series of disruptions
commenced which has harassed the town even to the present
day.

The old town continued its course as best it could under this
great disadvantage. The committee chosen to treat with
Joseph Blanchard did not complete their negotiations till Dec.
5, 1753. They then succeeded in obtaining that cumbrous and
formidable document known as the charter of the Masonian
proprietors. It is as follows :

Charter of Lyxdeborough, 1753.*

Province of New Hamp'.

Pursuant to the Power and Authoriy granted And vested in me the
vSubscriber by the Prop'" of Lands'Purchased of John Tufton Mason Esq'
in the Province of New Hampshire At their meeting Regularly Called
for that Purpose, —

I do by these Presents On the terms And Conditions with the res-
ervations herein After Expressed Give And Grant All the Right title
property And Possession of the Prop'" afores'' According to the fol-
lowing Proportions of Interest viz* to Benjamin Lynd's Esq four Shares
Benjamin Pickman Esq' three Shares Robert Hooper Esq One Share, to
the Heirs and Assigns of Joseph Sweat Esq Six Shares to Joseph Blanej'
Esq two Shares Samuel Wells Esq two Shares Daniel Epps Junr. Esq'
two Shares Major Joshua Hicks two Shares Benjamin Goodhew three
Shares Thomas Fletcher Two Shares Joseph Richardson two Shares
George Goold two Shares Ephraim Ingalls Two Shares And to the fol-
lowing Persons viz' Joseph Bowdage Esq Josiah Bowers Stephen Puttnam
the Heirs of James Leudall Esq late Deceased Jonathan Bowers Major
John Fowle John Bickford William Holt Moses Graves Oliver Fletcher
Flsq Timothy Cumings to Mrs Hannah Cobbit Joseph Clough David
Stinson Daniel Nickolls Robert Swan And Jonathan Peal to Which Sev-
enteen One Share Each of in And to a tract of Land in the Province of
New Hamp' afores'^ Containing by Estimation twenty eight Thousand
Acres Part thereof Heretofore Called Salem-Canada the Whole tract
Bounded As follows, Beginning at the Northeast Corner of a tract of
Land Called Duxbury School Farm And in the line of that tract or town-
ship Called Souhegan West from thence running West by the Needle One
mile two Hundred And Eighty Rods to the East line of a tract of Land
Called Noniber two from thence North by the Needle four Hundred And
ninety Eight Rods to the Northeast Corrrer of S*^ N° two from thence west
by the Needle by vS'' N" 2 five miles to a White Ash marked the Corner of
Petersborough Slip And of N" 1 : And from thence west b}' the Needle
two Hundred and Forty Rods by S** Petersborough Slip to a Beach tree

♦ Farmer's MSS. Town Papers, Vol. 4, p. 275 ; Batch., XXVII, p. 401.

SALEM-CANADA 49

Marked from thence North by the Needle Six miles and Three Quarters
to a tree Marked for the Corner of S'' tract from Thence East by the
Needle three miles and One quarter to a tree marked in the Western line
of New Boston from thence South by that line One mile And An half to
the most Southwesterly Corner of New Boston afores"! from thence East
by S'* New Boston line three miles One hundred And twenty rods to a
Black Oak marked Still by Said New Boston line & runs South two
miles And An half To a Stump and Stones from thence East One mile
And Eighty rods to the northwest Corner of that tract Called Southegun
west afores'i from thence South by the line of Said Souhegun west four
miles One Hundred And twenty-three rods to the Bounds first men-
tioned, & to all the Bounds afores'* lett Either of the lines afores'' be
more or less. Which tract of Land or Township Shall from this time be
Called Lyndes Borough, the Premises afores'' under the terms & Condi-
tions with the Reservations hereafter express, (that is to vSay) that the
Grantees [afore"^ According their Respective Shares (exceping as hereafter
excepted, have twenty One Thousand & thirty Acres Part of the afores"*
twenty eight Thousand Acres As the Whole of the grantees part of the
Premises in the following manner viz' that each of the Grantees named
in the Schedule hereunto annexed Own And Enjoy the Severall And Re-
spective lotts to their names Respectively affixed, As part of their
Shares, That the following Severall Lotts, (And to be part of the
Grantees proportion afores**) be granted As afores'' free from Duty Set-
tlement or taxes in Bringing forward or Compleating the duty as the
Conditions of this grant to the Severall Persons hereafter named As fol-
lows To David Badger the lott N° 117, to Francis Densmore the lott N°
106 to Bartholomew Jackson lott N" 100, To John Skead the lott N° 50,
To Paul Raymond the lott N" 99, Which lotts Contain by estimation one
Hundred And thirty Acres each And is part of the Second Division for-
merly laid out in S** tract. To James Twadle in the Right formly Edward
Fladre the Home lot Called 24 East with An Addition Round About it of
Sixty four Acres to Compleat the quantity of One Hundred And thirty
Acres to [Deacon Nathaniel Puttnam Peter Martin & George Dealands
Heirs to Each One lott, to be lay'd Out in the undivided Lands which
three lotts Are to Contain One Hundred And thirty Acres each And to
Benjamin Lynde As Assignee to John Dale Sen'^ the home lot N" 21 And
One Hundred and Twenty Acres to be lay'd out in the Undivided Lands
Which S<i persons in their Capacitys as above Shall be Intitled to no
further part of y*= Premises.

That Out of the Grantees Proportion there be three Shares more
granted One for the first Settled Minister And One for Ministry And One
for the Schole there forever Which Said Shares Shall be And Contain in
the Severall And Respective lotts entered in the Scheedule hereunto
Annexed As their Whole & Respective Shares & Shall be free of Duty
of Settlement And all taxes in performing the Condi(ti)ons* of this Grant.

To have and to hold to them their Heirs & Assigns forever under the
following Conditions with y^ Reservations hereafter mentioned Viz'.

That there be reserved out of said Tract, One Farm of Five Hundred
Acres, at the South- Westerly Corner of said Tract and also One Hundred

*ti is probably omitted by misprint in Bachellor, XX VII, 40,^.

50 HISTORY OF LVNDEBOROUGH

and Fifty Acres, Afljoining ou that Corner of y"' Towuship that Bounds on
New Boston West Line, & One Hundred and Fifty Acres as discribed
in y« Plan of vSaid Tract

And that there be further reserved to and for the use of y"^ Grantors,
their Heirs and Assigns, Free of all Charge and Incumbrance of Settle-
ment or Taxes, until improved by the Owners, or by them sold. Six
Thousand and Sixty Six Acres, and laid out into Nineteen Equal shares
at the Charge of y<= Grantees, in y* following manner Viz' That there be
in y* next best Accommodations of y*^ undivided Lands, Three Thousand
Six Hundred and Sixty Acres, laid out for the Grantors aforesaid, for
Quantity and Quality, with y'' Lands already laid out, in Nineteen Equal
shares, as aforesaid and that there shall be next laid out, in y*' said undi-
vided Lands so much to each Grantee, who has not his full Proportion in
y*^ Lands already laid out, and set in y^ Schedule, as shall make their
respective shares equal with the rest.

And that the remaining part of the Land reserved for the Grantors
aforesaid, being Two Thousand Four Hundred Acres, be Divided for
Quantity and Quality, with the rest of y^ com'on Lands into Nineteen
equal shares. And the remainder of y*= Com'ons or undivided Lands, to
be to and for the use of y"^ Grantees as they shall Order the Divisions
thereof. And that where any Lands was by the Proprietors, claiming
under the Massachusetts Grant formerly left within any Lott, for High-
ways, the Owners of such Lott, shall have said Land thus reserved,
allowing so much, as shall be of Equal Value, out of his Part in y* next
division of y^ Com'ons

That the respective Grantees, Owners of y* Fifty shares afores** and
who are not excused from Duty and Charge, bring forward and make set-
tlement, in the following manner Viz* That they lay out y*^ s"^ Tract or
Township and compleat the Division thereof as afore directed, at or
before y® 20"' Day of November next ensuing, and return a Plan thereof,
certified under the Hand of their Clerk on Oath, within Two Months after
such Work, shall be compleated to the Clerk of said Grantors

That y*" respective Owners, for each respective share, make One settle-
ment, in the following manner Viz' To clear inclose & fit for Momng
or Plowing Two Acres on some one Lott, and have a comfortable dwell-
ing House, Built and fitted for comfortable Dwelling in, and a Family or
some Person resident there at or before, the first Day of December, One
Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Six, and to continue Inhabitant or
Resident there, for Four Years, then next comeing and also for the same
Four Years Annually, on each of y^ said Lotts, to have Two Acres cleared,
Inclosed and fitted as aforesaid

That there be a Meeting House for Publick Worship in said Township,
within Five Years from this Date, at Such Place as shall be agreed on by
the Proprietors, both Grantors and Grantees, to be determined according
to Interest, and Ten Acres reserved there for Publick use notwithstand-
ing such Lott should be laid out to any Particular Person or Persons

That the Lands in said Township belonging to Grantors and Grantees,
be subjected to have all Necessary Highways, laid through them as there
shall be occasion, for the Future without any Pay or Allowance for Dam-
ages, that the aforesaid Grantees, their Heirs or Assigns not heretofore

SALEM-CANADA 51

excused from Charge, by a Major Vote in Publick Meeting called for that
Purpose, Grant and Assess in Equal Proportion, Such Sum or Sums of
Money as they shall think necessary for carrying forward and compleat-
iug the Settlement aforesaid or for the Support of the Ministry as the
Proprietors shall agree to, and every one of the Grantees exclusive of the
Three Publick Lotts, or his Assignee who shall Neglect for the Space of
Sixty Days after such Assessment shall be granted, to pay the same, so
much of such Delinquents Rights, shall and may be sold as will Pay
their respective Taxes and all Charges ariseing thereon by a Committee
to be appointed by the Grantees or their Assignees, for that Purpose.
And in case any of the Grantees, or their Assignees shall neglect or
refuse to perform any of the Articles, Matters or Things aforesaid by
him respectively to be done, He shall Forfeit his Right in said Town-
ship, and every Part thereof, to those of the Grantees or their Iniediate
Assignees who shall have complyed, with the Conditions on their Part,
herein expressed, and it shall, and may be Lawful! for them or any
Person, by their Authority, to enter into & upon, the Right or Part, of
such Delinquent Owner and any and every part in the Name and behalf
of the whole of the Grantees or their Imediate Assignees, who shall
comply as aforesaid, to amove oust and expell for the use of them their
Heirs and Assigns, provided they settle or cause to be settled each such
delinquents Right, within the Term of one Year at the farthest from the
Periods, that is by this Instrument Stipulated to be done as the Condi-
tion of this Grant and fully comply with the whole Duty, such delin-
quent ought to have done, within One Year from Time to Time after the
respective Periods thereof and in case the Grantees or their Assignees,
fulfilling their Parts as aforesaid shall neglect, fulfilling as aforesaid the
Duty of any delinquent Owner as aforesaid then such right or Part shall
be Forfeit revert and belong to the Grantors their Heirs and Assigns and
be wholly at their disposal

Allways Provided there shall be no Indian Warr, within any of y*
Terms aforesaid for doing the Duty conditioned in this Grant, and in
case that should happen, the same Time to be allowed for the respective
matters afores'i after such Impediment shall be removed

That all White Pine Trees fit for Masting His Majestie's Royall Navy
growing on said Tract of Land, be and hereby are Granted to his Majesty,
His Heirs and Successors forever

Lastly the said Grantors, do promise and Engage to y^ said Grantees,
their Pleirs and Assigns, to defend through the Law, to King &
Council, (if need be one Action that shall and may be brought against
them or any Number of them, by any Person or Persons whatsoever,
claiming the said Land or any part thereof, by any other Title than
that, of the s'^ Grantors, or that by which, they hold and derive theirs
from, provided the said Grantors are avouched in to defend the same
and that in Case on P'iual Tryall, the same shall be recovered, against
the Grantors, that such Person or Persons, shall recover nothing over
against the Grantors for the Said Lands, Improvements or Expence, in
bringing forward the Settlement

To all which Premises, I Joseph Blanchard Agent for and in behalf of

52 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

the Proprietors, the Grantors, have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this
Fifth Day of December A D. 1753.

Signed Sealed & Joseph Blanchard [seal]

D D in presence of
Geo: Delond
Jn" Bowles

The aforegoing Pages contain a True Copy of the Charter signed &
Executed by Joseph Blanchard Esq' as Agent for and in behalf of the
Proprietors of Lands purchased of Ju" Tufton Mason Esq"^ in the Province
of New Hampshire delivered unto us the Subscribers in behalf of the
Grantees mentioned in this Charter And whereas we were by the afores*
Grantees Authorized & Impowered to setle Agree & Compound, con-
cerning the premises in the aforewritten Charter, with the s<* Joseph
Blanchard Esq"" in his capacity above mentioned, on such terms & Con-
ditions & with such reservations as by both parties should be agreed
& Concluded, Now therefore we the s'^ Com'itee in the name & be-
half of the Grantees mentioned in the aforewritten Charter, hereby
Accept s'l Title & for s'' Grantees do Acknowledge that we hold s**
Lands, under the s'' Grantors Title & on the conditions & Limitations
with the reservations expressed in said Charter

Witness our hands this 5"' Decemb'' 1753
Witnesses Benj* Lynde •\

Love Pickman Benj'' Pickman \ Com**

John Nutting Jr Joshua Hicks J

(Copied by D. Donovan, Feb. 26, 1902J

SALEM-CANADA

[Draft of Lots 1753]
[Farmer'3 MSS. Town Papers, Vol. 4, p. 281]
Schedule to be annexed to Charter made to Benjamin L,ynde Esq' and
others of Salem-Canada now called Lyndeborough

Home

Persons Names

Division
Lotts

No of Second Division Lotts

Benjamin Ljnde Esq'

27,

50, 23,

44. 55, 83, 84, 98, loi, 65,

Benja. Pickman Esq'

22, 44.

53, 66, 80, 83, III,

Robert Hooper Esq' & Mr.

3.37,

34, 36, 37, 92, 93, 48, 49, rc.8, 87,

Swetts Heirs

41,

43. 49.

94, 29, 103,

Joseph Blaney Esq'

30, 41, 54,

Maj' Joshua Hicks

28.

52, 97, 102, 114,

Benjamin Goodhew

20,

58, 6r,

48, 60, 64, 115, 124, 125,

Thomas Fletcher

18,

35,

56, 57, 82,

Samuel Wells Esq'

54.

57,

71, 75, 81,

George Gould

24,

46.

69, 70, 74.

Ephraim Ingalls

40,

59.

51, 112, 119, 123,

Daniel Epes Jr. Esq'

51,

53.

40, 73, 104, 107,

Capt Joseph Richardson

^9.

31,

63, 89, 116, 118,

Josiah Bowers

81,

Joseph Bowditch Esq'

86, 95,

The Heirs of James Lindall Esq'

77, 78,

Stephen Putnam

113, 122,

Jonathan Bowers

14.

47, 79,

John Bickford

16,

38, 42,

Moses Graves

38,

109, no.

Maj' John Fowle

15.

45. 105,

Oliver Fletcher Esq'

39.

72,

Hannah Cabot

42,

120, 121,

Joseph Clough

45.

62, 96,

David Stimson

48,

58, 59,

Daniel Nichols

52,

68,

Robert Swan

55.

Jonathan Peele

60,

35, 61,

Timothy Cummings

26,

31, 32,

William Holt

25.

46, 76,

School Lott

32,

67, 126,

Ministry Lott

33,

90, 91,

First Ministers Lott

34,

126, 127,

The aforegoing List is the Schedule refferred to in the Annexed Charter,
Dec' 5: 1753.

Benj* Lynde |
Benj» Pickman r Com«"
Joshua Hicks
(Schedule copied Feb. 26, 1902, by D. Donovan.)

Such was the result obtained b)^ the committee appointed to
negotiate with Col. Joseph Blanchard, agent of the Masouian
proprietors.

As citizens of lyyndeborough, we assume a position in regard
to the mutilation of our ancient town, the correctness of which
it may be difiScult to establish by positive proof. Yet, we be-
lieve that the division of old Salem-Canada was as distasteful

54 HISTORY OF LVNDE BO ROUGH

to those severed from the old grant as to their old neighbors
who still retained the original name. We cannot believe with-
out better evidence than any documents public or private ex-
hibit, that the Putnams and Dales and Burtons and Stileses
and the rest had any grievance against their old town, or signed
a petition to be severed from it, without being subjected to a
species of intimidation amounting to coercion. Straws indicate
the direction of the current. So, in the conduct of those who
were parted from us by the new line, we think there is good
evidence that the construction of No. 2 was neither by their
contrivance nor connivance.

That the portion of the old town which remained should be
aggrieved by their loss was of course to be expected. But
what cared the agent for that ? The damage done to the resi-
due of the old town was far-reaching, and so rankled in the
hearts of Lyndeborough's selectmen a quarter of a century
later that they spelled the word damage strongly, using two
m's. Indeed, traces of the injury then done continue, even to
the present day.

And here it may not be amiss to make a few words of response
to the allusion of the Wilton History to this very matter.* The
History recites, that " Some feeling has been expressed of late
as if Wilton had encroached on I,yndeborough, and taken away
a part of its territory. But Lyndeborough as a grant to Benja-
min Lynde and thirty others did not date till December 5, 1753,
\four years after Badger's settlement and that of others in
Salem-Canada." "That about one-third of Wilton was once a
part of Salem-Canada no one will deny, but Salem-Canada was
not identical with Lyndeborough any more than it was with
Wilton." Now, that so large a part of No. 2 was torn away
from the old town, is Lyndeborough 's precise grievance; and
furthermore Lyndeborough inclines to the notion, that it is at
least 12,000 acres more nearly identical with Salem-Canada
than was Wilton. "But," continues the history, "We con-
fess that our good neighbor, Lyndeborough, since she became
Lyndeborough and not Salem-Canada, has suffered mutilation."
Our acknowledgments are due for the confession, so far as it
goes. But it is too partial. For it ostensibly commiserates
Lyndeborough, while it consents with the spoliation of vSalem-
Canada.

The kindly author of those sentences was a man whom it was

* Wilton History, p. 23. t tikely a misprint for fourteen.

SALEM-CANADA 55

a benediction to know. We believe that he was incapable of
an intentional unfairness. We can therefore account for such a
decision of the case in hand, only by his failure to obtain and
thoroughly sift the evidence.

The Lyndeborough people feel as the good Doctor did not,
that "Salem-Canada suffered mutilation," and to this day, they
regard themselves as sufferers from the effects of it.

The history again proceeds, " We cannot with any advan-
tage rake over the embers in the old ashes of past grievances to
kindle new regrets and jealouses. Let bygones be bygones !
What is written is written, and what is done is done and can-
not be reversed or undone."* Our heartiest sympathy is on the
side of every proper effort to allay ill-feeling between the two
towns. To kindle anew the dying embers of jealousy and re-
gret is surely an unworthy part to act. The towns are too
closely akin, too intimately allied by intermarriage, too much
interested in each other's material welfare, too highly endowed,
let us believe, with a genuine, dignified manliness, to yield
their conduct to the sway of ill-feeling. They were for many
years classed together, alternating in sending representatives to
the General Court, the same man serving the common interests
of both. It were therefore unseeml)' to nurse imaginary
grievences or to revive dying strife. But these will be more
readily dissipated by candor and fairness than by a partial or one-
sided view.

Now Salem-Canada was not a mere unoccupied tract of land
opened for free appropriation of its territory by either town.
It was as much a regularl}^ chartered town as New Boston, or
Narragansett No. 3, or Dunstable. Its grant bears date of
1735; No. 2's of 1749. John Cram, Senior, was in Salem-
Canada in 1737, two years before John Badger entered the town
in 1739. Salem-Canada was, therefore, fourteen years old, be-
fore No. 2 was constituted ; and it kept its old name more than
four years afterwards. But, according to the Wilton His-
tory's mode of reasoning, Badger never lived in No. 2, and
much less in Wilton. It required the partiall}'- settled frag-
ment of land called " Grotou Gore," and the tract rent from
Salem-Canada, to constitute No. 2. Did, then, the old name
and traditions as naturally belong to the new town as to the
old ? To ask this quesiion is to answer it. The Wilton His-

* Wilton History, p. 24.

56 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUCH

tory seems as ready to assume Salem-Canada's good name, as
to eujoy its valued territory.

It is quite possible, that I^yndeborough people may have un-
duly blamed Wilton for the mutilation of the old town. If so,
they were wrong. Blame should rest where it belongs. We
sometimes receive injury without perceiving clearly the source
whence it springs. Lyndeborough may have thus erred. But
reliable records now indicate that the chief blame should rest
neither on Number two, nor on its successor, Wilton, but rather
on Col. Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable and the Masonian Pro-
prietors who both permitted and authorized their agent to effect
the great and lasting injury. But many of the lyyndeborough
people may say that " Wilton profited by the injury and so
shared in it." This may have been true, and yet more unjust
than we know ; for her share may have been very small. Fre-
quently, and we fear too truthfully, is it said that "Corpora-
tions have no souls." Incorporated Wilton, therefore, would
have shown an extraordinary, and unlooked for degree of un-
selfishness in rejecting an addition so valuable and important to
its material interests. Our good neighbor Wilton should not be
harshly censured. Better say with her kindly historian, " Let
bygones be bygones," as the best lenitive with which to ally
irritation; though it fails to heal the sore. A man, well en-
dowed with the virtue of self-control, may accustom himself to
gaze calmly upon goods which have been wrested from him and
lodged irrecoverably in the possession of another man. But the
sight will seldom awaken such enthusiastic emotions of joy as
will make him toss up his hat and shout. The holder of the
goods can more easily shout and "let bygones be bygones"
than the loser of them, who is compelled to bear the loss and
feel the rankling hurt. Rest the blame where it rightly belongs,
and crush contention and strife between hands clasped in fra-
ternal peace and friendship.

CHAPTER IV.

lyYNDEBOROUGH UndER THE MASONIAN CHARTER

December, 5, 1753.

It is interesting to observe conditions under the new charter.
There were fewer limitations under the old. The entire broad
domain was the property of the Salem-Canada proprietors. A
great change came when the Masonian proprietors took posses-
sion. In the first assault they took away 4800 acres to aid in
forming town Number two. Then, 6660 acres were reserved
from the remainder for the new owners of Mason's claim, beside
a few parcels for the agent, 500 acres at the southwest corner of
the town, 150 at the northeast corner adjoining New Boston,
and still another farm of 150 acres, more nearly central. In
addition to all this there was the legal expense of a new charter
(a costly thing). We feel little surprise, after thus raising a
corner of the curtain, at the difficulty the old Salem-Canada
committee experienced in its effort to agree upon a settlement.
The exaction was "rank," and those who were compelled to
endure it, doubtless felt, that " it smelled to Heaven ! "

But, having got off with "the skin of their teeth," the old
landholders and proprietors assume a new name, and face the
future with admirable determination to advance. Benjamin
Lynde Jr. Esq., who not only inherited large wealth, but also
possessed rare legal and judicial talent, and added to all this,
had an unsullied reputation for honesty and integrity, became
about that time the principal owner of the real estate of the
town. He became such by honest purchase, not by any process
of pressure or extortion. Not a stain of this kind rests on his
name. Under the new charter the town was, therefore, Lyndes
Borough ; or as we now write it, Lyndeborough. But many of
the old proprietors disappear, while the old organization and its
records are continued. Under the new auspices the building of
a meeting-house was as indispensable and imperative as under
the old. The completion of the former structure was seriously
interrupted by the outbreak of the French and Indian War, and
then by the panic and uncertainty connected with the decision
in regard to Mason's claims. The changed conditions de-
manded readjustments. The site first selected for the meeting-

58 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

house, generally accepted as central, is no longer acceptable.
The line of the new town, Number 2, is less than two miles
from the former centre. A new and more central point must
now be chosen. Some of the citizens live north of the moun-
tain. Many of them built their homes along the east side of
the town, adjoining Amherst and New Boston, while other
homes were situated along the west side and well upwards
toward the Peterborough mountain. The interests of the differ-
ent sections of the town conflicted. It was, indeed, a difficult
matter to fix upon a new site for the place of worship, which
would give general satisfaction. This new bone of contention
disturbed the town for a number of years ; and failing to agree
among themselves, it became necessary finally to submit the
matter to the decision of a special commission.

Meantime the preaching of the gospel was maintained as
best it could be, under such discouragements and disadvan-
tages. The services were held in private dwellings. A com-
mittee was appointed Oct. 28, 1754, to " view the meeting-house
and see in what manner it can be made suitable for public wor-
ship." This indicates that their obligation to provide a place
of public worship was not dormant. But so far as the records
show there was no attempt made to finish the house begun
before the late war. A new house, however, seems to have
been built, and " located in the field east of where Mrs. Benja-
min Button" lived, " on the road from the present centre of
the town to Johnson Corner."*

Thus the preaching of the Gospel continued to receive their
attention. At the first meeting of the L^'udeborough proprie-
tors after their acceptance of the new charter, they agreed " to
allow two dollars per day towards procuring preaching for the
next six months," to be drawn from the treasury, the number
of days to be certified by the preacher. Oct. 29, 1754, it was
agreed that "Mr. Stephen Putnam & Mr. Samuel King be
desired & appointed to do as much this fall as they can"
toward preparing the house; and further that "Mr. Putnam
be desired to give such directions about the finishing of the
meeting-house as will be attended with least cost to the pro-
priety and make it comfortable for public worship."!

In 1755, the inhabitants petitioned the proprietors that they
might have a settled minister, or pay for preaching granted
them. After duly considering the request, the proprietors in-

» Clark's S. C, p. 43. f Prop's- Rec'ds, 1754.

SALEM-CANADA 59

structed their clerk, Benjamin Lynde, to write the following
letter :

" To the Inhabitants of the Township of Ivyndeborough,

The Committee of the Propriety met together on your petition for
having the Preaching of the Gospel continued among them, & consider-
ing your earnest request, (with which they are well pleased) & the
advantage it may be to the spiritual & temporal interest of the Town,
have resolved to allow to such Gospel minister as you shall get to preach
for the three following months. Six Pounds, ten shillings, Old Tenor,
for every {Sabbath after the 25th, of the instant month,

I am in the name

Your Assured Friend,

B. Lynde.
Sai,em 25, Dec. 1755.

Again, at a meeting of the committee May 16, 1756, it was
agreed to write and send the following letter to the inhabitants :

" I am desired by the Proprietors' Committee to acquaint you that at
their meeting at your request of the 13th. instant, they have resolved to
continue the £(i 10 shillings our Old Tenor, for the preaching the Gospel
among you for 26 Sabbaths from the 25th. of March last — which is
what they conclude best, considering the difficult circumstances of
affairs at present in New England."

I am Your Assured Friend,

B. Lynde.

At the proprietors' meeting on the 4th of January 1757,
Daniel Epps Jr. Esq. was chosen Clerk, and Benjamin Lynde
Esq. treasurer for the ' ' Propriety. ' ' Voted also that ' ' there be a
committee of 5 persons to manage the affairs of the Township ; "
and that they or a majority of them "call future meetings of
the Propriety." The members of this committee were Hon.
B. Lynde, Esq., Hon. Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Deacon Jn°.
Bickford, Daniel Epps, Jr. Esq., and Mr. B. Goodhue.

The meeting was adjourned to the next day, at which time
they took into consideration the petition of John Johnson and
others, a committee appointed by the society at Lyndeborough
to make application for the settlement of a gospel minister
among them. It was voted ' ' That for the encouragement of
an Orthodox Minister'settling among said people, there shall be
paid out of the Proprietors' Treasury, the sura of Forty Pounds,
Lawful Money, in the following manner, viz.. Thirteen Pound
six shillings & eight pence the first year after his ordination ;
& the like sum the second 3'ear ; and the remaining sum of
i3/^-6s.-8d. at the expiration of the third year ; He continuing
in said capacity, with said people so long." " Also voted, that

60 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

as a farther encouragement, there be paid to the order of the
said Society the sum of Forty Pounds annually, for and towards
such minister's yearly salary."*

The proprietors were generous in their appropriations to en-
courage and assist the town. They were careful, not churlish,
in expending their money. They aimed to develop it and pre-
serve its unity of interest and friendly intercourse. Hence,
although ready to contribute liberally toward the erection of the
required and much desired house of public worship, we find
them reluctant to expend money while heated disputes existed
as to the site most 'convenient and suitable for its location.
They therefore voted again that the sum appropriated ' ' toward
the building of the meeting-house be not paid until three-
quarters of the settlers of the township have agreed on the
same place, and the committee be certified of the same by a
writing from under their hands." Thus their funds were given
to promote harmony, not to foster contention. These appropria-
tions were voted when the people were preparing to settle their
first pastor, Mr. John Rand. He remained with them but a
few years. But after his departure, the proprietors' committee,
Nov. 17, 1762, agreed " that Mr. Rand be paid his third or last
year's settlement; " and also " that his salary be allowed him
to the 7th of April last." Thus year after year the}'' continued
to aid and encourage the settlers.

" In October, before Rev. John Rand was settled, the society
voted, — t

' ' That the meeting-house shall be set on the road that goes
from the beaver pond bridge to Jonathan Cram's, Jun., on a
place called the Rocky Hill not further from a place called
Rocky ledge, on the road to the lower corner of the town so
called, than the bridge is."

The next year, December 7, 1758, the society record reads:

"Bound ourselves to build a meeting-house on Rev. John
Rand's lot lying east of Jonathan Cram's Jun., not exceeding
forty rods from the southwest corner of said lot."

" According to these votes, the second meeting-house was
located in the field east of where Mrs. Benjamin Button, a
granddaughter of Rev. John Rand, now lives, on the road from
the center of the town to Johnson Corner." +

No undue attention has been devoted to this matter of the
meeting-house, although our treatment of it may savor some-

•Records for 1757. t Rev. K, G. Clark, Salem-Canada, p. 43. t Clark, p. 43,

SALEM-CANADA 61

what of an ecclesiastical form. The story of the meeting-
house will be found a real, substantial part of the civil history
of the town. For there was a distinct attempt to blend both
civil and religious interests under the same code of regulations
and the same board of executive officers, in the government of
Massachusetts Bay. This blending, also, is discernible in the
early charters issued by that government. The puritan idea of
building a meeting-house, and settling "a pious learned and
orthodox minister " in ever}^ town, supported by a tax levied on
all the inhabitants, was an almost invariable rule and require-
ment in securing a charter. Nor was the rule a bad one for the
times. The Masonian proprietors as well as the Royal Govern-
ors of New Hampshire retained the same regulations, even
after the separation of the provinces. The erection of "a good
and sufficient house for the public worship of God," usually
within three years from the reception of the charter, was made
one of the indispensable conditions of retaining it, and this con-
dition was unaltered even after our province was freed from the
political domination of Massachusetts. Hence, caring for the
religious interests of the town, was made by its charter as much
a part of civic duty as fostering any other department of its
enterprise. We have for this reason endeavored to give due
space and attention to the progress made in securing the meet-
ing-house.

Disturbing Infi,uences.

The influences which disturbed the town came mainly, though
not wholly, from without. The old Salem-Canada proprietors
who were still land-holders in Lyndeborough continued to hold
their meetings as aforetimes. They met generally at the Inn of
Mrs. Pratt, in Salem, Mass., though occasionally elsewhere, as
convenience or interest dictated. * The notices of their meet-
ings were posted in public places in Salem and Marblehead,
Mass., where most of them resided. A notice was put up in
Chelmsford, Mass., for the benefit of the one proprietor who
lived there, and one was also sent to one of the principal inhab-
itants of Lyndeborough. All were to be posted at least ten
days before the day of meeting; and the matters to be con-
sidered were specified as in the warrants for our town meetings.
In the year 1759, they voted, that instead of the usual method

*See Records of 1772.

62 HISTORY OF T.YNDEBOROUGH

for notifying meetings, a notice might be given in at least two
of the Boston newspapers.

One of the troublesome things in those early days was de-
linquency in paying taxes. Then, as now, lands could be sold
to satisfy such demands against their owners. For certain acts
of neglect, the penalty was forfeiture of title. But the proprie-
tors were very lenient, if not lax. They practised great for-
bearance towards the settlers. Penalties were not rigorously
enforced. Land sold for taxes might generally be redeemed
when payment was made. A commendable friendliness
governed their action in many such cases. But, despite all
this, they did not enjoy unalloyed happiness.

The disturbance created by the cutting away of a portion of
the old township of Salem-Canada, in order to form township
No. 2, cannot now be fully comprehended. And instead of this
disturbance subsiding and disappearing, it proved rather, like
Banquo's ghost, which would not down at a fancied superior's
bidding. It kept repeating its annoyances.

Consequently, a meeting was called for Jan. 4, 1756, one
article of which contemplated the appointment of a committee to
effect the fulfilment of the conditions required by the charter ;
to have the lands described continued, and to direct in making
allowances to those who have had part of their allotments taken
off. About twenty of the old proprietors and settlers had por-
tions of their lots cut off, for which they were to receive allow-
ances. This required the making of new surveys and the
running of new lines, all of which not only increased the ex-
penses of the town, but also increased the inconveniences of
those whose farms had been invaded. There maj' have been no
mtitilatio7i in this ; but there was something very like mutiny in
consequence of it. There was intense and choking indignation,
all the more, that there was no proper, available means of re-
dress. They must swallow their wrath, and adjust matters
which could be adjusted, as fully as they had the power. To
this they devoted themselves.*

But in assigning lauds to compensate for losses, they were
obliged to lay these out, not on lands immediate]}'- adjoining
those of the losers, but on lands in other parts of the town. The
inconvenience to the owners must be manifest at once. But
that was not all.

The survey made by Robert Fletcher at the north part of the

* Records, 1760.

SALEM-CANA!>A 63

town fell short about a half a mile of what Mr. Fletcher called
it. So great were his errors, indeed, that his whole survey of
that section was set aside ; and Osgood Carleton was engaged to
make a new one, at the town's expense. This came in less than
twenty years after they had borne the expense of Fletcher's
warped and faulty one.

One plan of Mr. Fletcher's survey was attested by him as,
^^ well boiuided & truly described.'' But it was endorsed by
another hand as, " Wrong in Almost every part ; is almost a Mile
Wider than it really is."

If, then, the land fell short nearly a half a mile in measure
from north to south, on the north side of the town, and again
fell short almost a mile in measure from east to west, it is easy
to see that purchasers must have paid for many acres which they
did not receive. Relying on the sworn statements of the sur-
veyor, Robert Fletcher, the committee of the Salem-Canada
proprietors accepted the plan of Lyndeborough which he pre-
sented. His errors were not discovered until encroachments
began to be made by settlers on adjoining lands on the north,
whose deeds had been received from Col. Wallingford, one of
the grand proprietors. The deeds clearly entitled them to the
land on which they had entered, had their deeds been valid.
But lyyndeborough had the land prior to the date of Walling-
ford's titles given to those settlers. But these had already
begun to clear the land and were quite reluctant to withdraw
from it. Not till crowded by these trespassers, as Lyndebor-
ough people called them, did they learn how great was the
deficiency in their acreage.

Appropriate to this matter is the letter of John Gofie,* dated,

" Derr^'field Apriel 29 1774.
Honnored Sirs the Lines of your Sosiety land are so hard to be
found that the people that have purchesed cannot find the Exact
Spot there land is on and they Complain one incroches upon an
others land and som are Liable to loose there labour therfore
they pray your Hon'^ would order the lins to be Run anew so
that Every one may know their own lines & I am sure it is best
for you to have Run Speedely for the old lines are So Grown out
that they Cant be followed & it is said that a great part of them
lines never were Run."t

This from the old hero, Col. Goffe, states the situation

♦Batch. XXVIII., 415. t Cf. Batch., XXVUI, 261.

64 H/SrORV OF J.YNDEBOROUGH

familiarly and forcefully. Now the lyyndeborough proprietors
had no relish for such encroachments. It was the discovery of
the frauds which led to them, that incited Judge Lynde to have
a resurvey made of the different portions of the town. This
survey, however, availed very little, as will appear later. The
most that was accomplished by it, was to convince the settlers
that they were grievously cheated out of their just rights.

Plan of Salem-Canada Lots.
The plan of the first lots seems to have been made as follows :
* " Each proprietor, after paying into the treasury four
pounds, drew a home lot of sixty acres, and then drew two lots of
one hundred and thirty acres each, on paying four pounds more
to defray the necessary expenses of surveying and marking the
lots, t There were one hundred and twenty-seven Second Divis-
ion Lots, two for each proprietor, two for the first settled min-
ister, two for the support of the ministry, two for schools, and one
for a mill lot."

The first division, or home lots, contained sixty acres each,
were located in the southeast part of the town, and their eastern
range adjoined Souhegan West, now Amherst. The second
division lots commenced at the west side of the home lots, on
the south line of the town, and were from east to west i6o rods
long, and from north to south 130 rods wide. The numbering
of these commenced at their southeast corner, and the tier next
to the south line had seven lots. Number seven was in the
southwest corner of the town, and adjoining it on the north was
number eight, the lov/est number of the second tier, whicfl
ended at the home lots with number fourteen ; directly north of
this again was number fifteen, which commenced the third tier,
which continued its course west to twenty-one, north of which
again came twenty-two, and so on to twenty-eight. Those four
tiers of lots were taken away to make township No. 2. The
numbering continued thus, rising from one to 126. Each
owner of a right could draw two of these large lots in addition to
his home lot. A regular time was appointed for drawing the
lots, when each owner could draw his own share, or authorize
some one else to draw for him, — or the majority of the grantees
present could select some one to draw in his place. Thus, were
the various lots distributed in old Salem-Canada.

* Clark, p. g.
t " This seems a large sum to pay for expenses, but it was the old tenor money or
paper, which was not worth a third of its face value."

SALEM-CANADA 6S

The Lyndeborough Arrangement.

The arrangement already considered was, of course, greatly
disturbed after the Masonian proprietors came into possession.
A tract of land five miles long from east to west, and one and a
half miles wide, from north to south, was cut off from the south
end of our town, a thing which did not, however, interfere
materially with the old numbering of the rest of the farms.
Twenty-eight of the second division lots of 130 acres each were
thus taken away to form township No. 2. But as if to increase
confusion and disturb all former plans of ownership, the grand
proprietors laid out their own reservations in various parts of
the town. Nineteen lots of two hundred acres each were set off
into two ranges, on the west side of the town. A farm of 500
acres was reserved on the southwest corner ; one of 150 acres at
the northeast corner ; another of 150 acres near the centre ; and
several others in the northwest and in the eastern portions of
the town. More than ten thousand acres were thus severed
from their former connection, and from an ownership enjoyed by
the Salem- Canada grantees for more than eighteen years under
the authority of Massachusetts. Great disturbance must obvi-
ously result from so changed a situation. The Masonian own-
ers reserved for their own interests one-fourth of the territory,
and that was to be free from all taxes and other charges, until
improved by themselves, or by those who should hold titles from
them. This territory had been granted to the Salem-Cauada
proprietors in consideration of hard unremunerated service, ren-
dered by some of them or b}' their fathers, in the disastrous ex-
pedition of 1690. Of this hardly-earned patrimony they were
despoiled by the purchasers of Mason's claim. But still further,
they suffered from trespassers on their remaining acreage, and
were defrauded in the measurements of estates for which they
had paid roundly.

The Commons, or Common L/Ands.

After Benjamin Lynde, Esq., and the thirty others associated
with him had received the charter of L,yndeborough from the
Masonian proprietors, and all the proprietors and settlers had re-
ceived their portions, there was still quite a large quantity of
unoccupied town land. This was called common or undivided
land. If, from time to time, a farm was sold out of this terri-
tory, the price received was put into the common treasury of the
corporation to defray general expenses. Lands forfeited for

66 Fir STORY OF LYNDEBOROIIGH

failure to comply with the conditions of the charter, might thus
be added to the common lands, and would revert to the grantees.
This land was lying waste, unproductiv^e, unfenccd and untilled.
It seemed rather to challenge than invite trespassers, and at
times the challenge was accepted. It was no easy task to master
all the diflEiculties and despite all the trials to secure general
welfare.

Classes of Proprietors.

I. John Mason was the original owner of New Hampshire by
grant from the King of England. From him the title, disputed
long with great acrimony and opposition, descended to his heir
of the sixth generation, Col. JohnTufton Mason, born in Boston.
Mass., Apr. 29, 1713. This heir of Mason's entire claim to the
soil of New Hampshire sold his right and title to a company of
gentlemen in Portsmouth. The propert}' was divided by them
into fifteen equal shares. Of these, three were purchased by
Theodore Atkinson, two by Mark Hunking Wentworth, and one
each by Richard Wibird, John Wentworth (son of Governor),
George Jaffrey, Nathaniel Meserve, Thomas Parker, Thomas
Wallingford, Jothan Odiorne, Joshua Pierce, Samuel Moore and
John Moffatt. These were called the Masonian Proprietors and
sometimes, the " Lord Proprietors or Grand Proprietors." Their
title from Mason was decided to be valid, and all other titles so
called were thus annulled or made void.

The Canada Proprietors.

II. These were persons to wdiom the Government of Massachu-
setts had made grants of land for special services rendered either
in the army or navy. Thus the survivors of certain military
expeditions or campaigns, or the heirs of such as perished in
them, or had died subsequently, received special consideration
in such grants. So a tract of land on the Souhegan River was
granted to the heirs of those who fought in the Narragansett
War. This township was called Souhegan West, or Narragan-
sett No. 3, which was later called Amherst. In like manner,
men who engaged in the Canada expedition of 1690, from the
towns of Ipswich, Rowley, Salem, etc., received grants which at
first bore the names of their several towns, for instance, Ipswich-
Canada, Rowley-Canada, vSalem-Cadada, which became respect-
ively New Ipswich, Rindge and Lyndeborough. The persons
who were fortunate enough to obtain such grants, sharing

SALEM-CANADA 67

equally in them, were the proprietors of the towns so granted.
Those of our town were called the Salem-Canada proprietors.
At a later day they were compelled to procure titles to their
farms and estates from the Masonian proprietors, or lose their
lands and improvements. Benjamin Lynde, Jr., Ksq., was the
largest stockholder in the town, which in honor of him was
called Lynde's Borough, or as now written Lyndeborough.*

But many of the early proprietors became such by purchase.
People whose ancestors had been in the Canada expedition of
1690 inherited rights which they drew as members of their pos-
terity ; but they preferred to vsell them rather than settle on
them. The purchasers of such rights were entitled to all the
privileges and advantages arising from them ; and it was in this
way that many became proprietors in the town. Men possess-
ing large wealth invested their money in the new lands and sold
them again as the opportunity came for a profitable sale. The
majority of those who thus owned the original lots never lived
in Lyndeborough. There were some honored exceptions.
Among these may be named the Epps families and connections,
the Stephensons, Goulds, Putnams and others.

III. The larger number of the inhabitants of the town were
not, however, i^roperly speaking, proprietors or share holders in
its territory. These bought farms on which they settled and
built their homes and reared their families. Such were propri-
etors only of their own holdings, and not strictly town proprie-
tors.

Attempts at Pacification.

It was no easy matter to secure just rights and maintain har-
mony. At the meeting of the Ivyndeborough proprietors, held
at Salem, Mass., April 21, 1768, they voted,

That John Shepard Jr. Esq., Capt. Jonathan Cram, and Capt.
John Stephenson be " a committee to consider and report what
allowance should be made to Adam Johnson, John Carkin, and
Joseph Wilkins, for their home lots being short of measure."
This committee reported fully Oct. 15, 1774, that Adam John-
son's land was short 16 acres, and as it was good land, recom-
mended that a tract of 37 acres of poorer quality be given him
in its stead. John Carkin's land fell .short more than 13 acres,
and they recommended that 17 acres be given him to compen-
sate for it. Joseph Wilkins was short of his measure about 9

*Diary of Benj. r,ynde. p. 14S, note.

68 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

acres and it was recommended to give him a tract of 29 acres to
make good his shortage. But the committee stated, that " the
last mentioned tract is excessive poor." This report was finally
approved by the proprietors, in Dec, 1782, and the tracts of
land specified were assigned to the several settlers named.

LYNDEBOROUGH VERSUS TliE MaSONIAN PROPRIETORS.

The Letters of Benjamin Lynde and Others.

These letters were among the papers of Mr. David C. Grant,
who seems to have procured them from the Hon. Ezra S.
Sterns, Secretary of State. They are all now printed in the
State Papers edited by Mr. Albert Stillman Batchellor, Vol.
XXVII, pp. 412-436.

These letters are given in full, that the reader may learn from
the honored Judge himself, the complications induced by the
grand proprietors of Mason's right. They are numbered, .so
that they may stand in chronological order, when printed, as
given in the State Papers mentioned above.

No. I.

The deposition of Robert Fletcher, surveyor.

I, Robert Fletcher, Ej-^ed about 42 years, testify and say that I was the
surveyor who with Samuel Butterfield and others laid out to y* several
proprietors who hold under Jn". Tufton Mason, Esq. the tract of land
called the Society Land or Reserved Lands, their particular lots 1753.
That the lot number eight which fell to Esq. Walliugsford on the east
end began at a black oak which is the u. e. corner of number eight, the
line runs south one mile on the head of New Boston Addition Line to an
hemlock tree which is the north-east corner of Lyndeborough Addition,
which was made by order of Col° Blanchard A. D. 1753 from thence it
runs west three miles and eighty rods on Lyndeborough to a black oak,
thence turning at a right angle and runs south one mile and 120 rods to a
white pine being the extent of No. 8 southward and is in direct line east
with Peterboro' north line.

I was also the surveyor that by order of Col" Blanchard made the
Addition to Lyndeborough and planned the same agreeable to which the
charter was drawn, and at the north-west corner of the town y* Addition
No. was made from the southwest corner of New Boston Addition and
was to run No. on that head line one mile and one-half to a hemlock
tree in the said head line of New Boston Addition, and I know it was
intended y' Lyndeborough should extend so far north until it came to y*
aforesaid hemlock, which is one mile south of the black oak at the
northeast corner of no. eight, and one mile and half north of y^ south-
west corner of New Boston Addition. That sometime in the spring of
the year 1766 I informed Mr. Wm. Dickey, one of the purchasers of the
lot no. eight of the bounds as above mentioned, who told me that he

SALEM-CANADA 69

(saitl Dickey) and others were about purchasing this lot no. eight and
that he came to me to enquire about the bounds. Robt. P'letcher.

Essex ss. Salem 9 Febry 1770.
Then the above named Robt. Fletcher made oath to the truth of the
above deposition by him subscribed and the same is taken to lie, "in
perpetuam rei memoriam."

Jurat Coram, And'' Oliver, Justicus Pacem
Wm. Browne, Quorum Unus.

No. II.

This letter is dated : Salem, May 28, 1773, and is addressed
to Honorable Geo. Jaffrey Esq., who was then clerk of the
Masonian proprietors.

Salem May 28th,, 1773.
Honble Sir :

With this you will have a new survey and laying out of eight
grand proprietors lots by Mr. Osgood Carleton April 1773 at the no. west
of Lyndeborough ; these with eight before laid out on Amherst line and
near the same lots by Jn°. Sheppard, Esq.; make sixteen only, the
number directed without any for the three lawyers. These being at the
n. w. corner and beyond the mountains are 150 to 160 acres as the other
are near the inhabitants. The lots laid out by Jn°. Sheppard are lost by
the encroachuaeut of the seventeen Derry men who bought of Col°
Wallingsford, who claim half a mile further south than the bounds in
his deed gives them, and take half a mile which our charter gives us in
plain words. You have also the reform of the survey of the 19 grand
lots laid out by Mr. Fletcher 1759 which was erroneous in not making
allowance for the variation of the compass from the ist. running 1736,
whereby the northern lots were above 100 rods short thro the width.
This now is rectified, and the bounds at the corner of each lot ascer-
tained on the plan, without which it was impossible for any grand pro-
prietor to have found his certain lots. This has been attended with a
great deal of charge to us, but absolutely necessary and best to be settled
right before improvements come to be made. I wish, sir, that the pro-
prietors, with you, would draw for the 16 lots that they may know how
to sell (if they incline to it) and accommodate such as come to settle.
I am sir, with great respect.

Your most obedt. and humbl. servant,

Benj. Lynde.
Honble Geo. Jaffrey, Esq.

No. III.
This was evidently addressed to the person named in No. II.
The remaining letters up to No, IX seem to need no caption,
as they are self-explanatory.

Salem, 28 July, 1773.
Honble Sir :

Your favors of the 23 I received last night ; I tind it goes

intirely on a mistake — as tho the Masonian Proprietors had not the

70 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

(juaiitity of land reserved for them in their charter. That was 6066 acres
Anno 1759 there was laid out for them nineteen lots each of 200 acres,
makes 3800 acres these they drew for in July 1760. In 1766 there was
laid out by Jn°. Sheppard Jun. eight lots on Amherst line each contain-
ing 130 acres, is 1040 acres more. These being nearer Amherst and
supposed better were not so large as those at a distance. In 1768 Mr.
Sheppard laid out the eight lots in the Addition made to Lyudeborough
which being at a greater distance were larger, viz. 150 to 170 acres. The
seventeen Derrymen by virtue of their purchase from Wallingsford
whose deed gives them only one mile on New Boston, made an encroach-
ment of half a mile further tho they were told by Mr. Fletcher, Esq. to
whom they applied, before they bought, how far Wallingford came
south and that he had only one mile on the head of New Boston. This
broke up the allotment of Esq. Sheppard, put us to a much greater
charge for examinging and to measure Wallingford great lot, with fixing
it by his deed and other evidence. This cost us 15 or 16 pounds L,. M.
and now Carleton laying out in 1773 also. All this has been the charge
of the grantees and tho they have some hundred of acres taken from
them, yet the Grand Proprietors have the whole of their reservation and
10 or 12 acres more. These eight lots are generally the best land tho
further distant. What I proposed was the drawing for the eight lots laid
out in 1766 of 130 acres each with the eight lots laid out by Carleton 1773
of 150 acres each. If I omitted the plan of the eight lots laid out 1766
when I sent the other eight lots of Carleton it was a mistake and is sent
now.

I also transmit you Mr. Fletcher's deposition taken "in perpetuam "
and to show the grand Proprietors the unreasonableness of the Derry
men's encroachments. Should the land between Peterboro' and L,ynde-
boro' be offered for sale tho' it's chiefly mountainous and hilly, I should
be glad to have the refusal of it and would make as good pay as any-
I am, with my best regard to the proprietors, sir.

Your and their most obedt. humbl. servt.

Benja. Lynde.*

Salem Sept. 2, 1773.
Honble Sir:

I am favored with yours of the i8th. of August, in answer to
which let me assure you, that as I take it there will none of those lots
laid out by Carleton be infringed on by the Derry men's encroachments.
I have two shares in the 16 lots now to be drawn, my own interest there-
fore would have led me to take care that those lots should be clear from
encroachment. I am sorry to find that Francestown laps on Lyude-
borough. I suppose the charter of incorporation is the same with the
Proprietors charter from Col° Blanchard 1753 which makes Lyude-
borough to run from the southwest corner of New Boston Addition one

"This letter has no address on the outside. On the back it is minuted:
Benja I.ynde July 2S 1773

S: Plans.
Osgood Carltons Plan of
Proprietors 2d Division in Lyndeboro'
and Sheppards Plan of Proprs
2d Division in Lyndeboro'

SALEM-CANADA 71

mile and half on the head line of said addition. This leaves for Wal-
liugford uo. 8 one mile to the red oak which is in the n. e. corner of his lot
as it's Odiorne's s. e. corner bound. Yet these Irish, tho' Col" Wal-
lingford's deed to them is only one mile from said red oak south, they
have stretched it to one mile and half, large measure.

Mr. Pierce's illness may prevent his attending when you draw your
lots I should therefore be obliged to you if you would please to draw for
my two rights bought of Col" Blanchard viz. one that was Meservy,
Green and his, and one he had as agent of the Grand Proprietors.

With regard to the strip between Lyndeborough and Peterborough I
knew very little about it. I am told towards the south a great part of it
is rocky and mountainous, other parts may be tolerable ; but it's only
because it is adjoining to Lyndeborough that I would buy it if it was
sold a penny worth. I should be glad to hear what the quantity is and
what it will fetch in cash. I am, sir, with respect to the Compn.
Your and their most humbl. servant,

Benja Lynde.

The Honorable George Jaffre}', Esq.

Sept. 5, 1773.
Since finishing the other side Mr. David Chandler has been with me
and tells me Mr. Esq. Sheppard has measured the strip, of the proprie-
tors land by Duxbury school farm and its measure is six hundred and
odd acres, makes but 42 or 43 acres to 1/15. Yet Mr. Pierce about 10
years ago writes me that Col° Blanchard (as he understood by his son)
was to have 8 miles of that strip on the south part, the remainder sup-
posed to be I mile and half was divided and lotted out and made 53 acres
to 1/15 at which rate I bought and paid for Col° March's part. His
letter Mr. Chandler has for your perusal. I am, sir.

Your most obedt servant,

B. Lynde.

Danvers 25th. April 1774.
Rouble Sir:

Your favors of 24th. December past I received and was in
hopes 'ere this to have heard you had drawn for the lots laid out to the
Grand Proprietors. I should have been glad also to have had Capn.
Flatcher's original testimony returned recorded with what I am Indebted
for it as I suppose you have a register chosen.

I am told you have lately advertised two pieces of laud adjoining on
L,yndeborough and that one is the supposed Gore between that town and
the Derry men. I should have been very glad to have known its
description and contents, one of your news papers might sufficiently do
that if you could send me one unless they are not so particular as your
book. We have spent several hundred pounds on ascertaining the addi-
tion made to Salem Canada by Col° Blanchard and Fletcher.

I have myself taken more pains about it than I would again for 20
pounds lawful money. In my letter of lotli. Novr. I mentioned to you
an affair of Mr. Qiglig viz. his demand for paying witnesses on a tres-
pass on Mr. Hancock and my society lot no. 2 which as I knew nothing

n J IIS TORY OF LYNDEBOROLIGH

of, I supposed was a general charge but I promised to write you and
have your advice thereon which should be much obliged to you for,
I am, sir,

Your most obedt. servant,

Benj. Lynde.

The Honorable George Jaffrey, Esq.

Portsmo. June 15th. 1774. Joshua Holt and Jn" Abbot 4th, both of
Andover in y'^ Province of Massachusetts agrees to purchase of the
Proprietors the strip of land between Peterborough and Lyndeborough
and to pay four shillings per acre for the same part of y* sum on having
y* grant y* remainder in September next to pay interest till paid and
they will be in this town by a month from this date to receive y* grant.

Joshua Holt,
John Abbot 4th.

Jn°. Sheppard, Esq. :

The Proprietors of the lands purchased of Jn". Tufton Mason
Esq. are about making a conveyance of a strip of land to Messrs Holt,
Abbot and etc. and to be conveyed by y** acre. We had a plan thereof
made by Osgood Carleton for ascertaining y^ quantity of land in their
tract y* certainty of which those persons are in some doubt and are
desirous of having y* same surveyed again, and we are consenting hav-
ing reason to think that tract of land contains more acres than men-
tioned in Osgoods plan. As the proprietors have great confidence in
your integrity and skill have requested your favors to undertake y*
survey and return a plan of the same to us. That is that you will as
soon as you can conveniently make a survey of the said strip, to begin
at the northwest corner of Borland's farm so called and run by the
northerly line thereof to the west line of Lyndeborough and on the said
line to the south line of the Society land so called, then by that line till
it meets the northeasterly corner of Peterborough, then by that line to
the bounds began at. The course of the westerly side line of Lynde-
borough and easterly side line of Peterborough are north by y* needle,
granted in the year 1753 or thereabouts. It is desired you will be as
exact as you can in y^ admeasurement and contents of the land. For
your assistance we enclose you Carleton's plan of the strip and y* plan
of Borland's farm by which you will see the form and contents, which
you'll see if it contains no more than 400 acres. The persons who apply
to you for making the survey will pay you for the same and plan which
send to us under your cover.

In behalf of proprietors,

G. J. P. Clerk.

Portsmo. July 16, 1774.

Portsmo. July 15th. 1774.
Then agreed with Mason's Proprietors that as were requested a survey
of y* strip of lands between Lyndeborough and Peterborough, which is to
taken by Jn** Sheppard, Esq. that we will pay y* cost and charge of
y* survey and plan. Joshua Holt,

John Abbot, 4th.

SALEM-CANADA 73

Ipswitch Hamlet, 7 Decembr, 1775
Rouble Sir :

It is now several months since I have been favored with any-
thing from you perhaps the difficulty of the times has occasioned it. The
damage of having our commons lie open to all trespassers as well as good
settlers stopped from coming into the town obliges me to. ask the trouble
of your urging the proprietors to pass on and accept Mr. Carleton's plan
of 1773 and then draw for the several lots, that we may know our own
and devide the small remains of commons. Had Mr. Robt. Fletcher laid
the grand lots out right 1759 with the boundary mark at the corner of
each lot, all this charge and delay would have been prevented. Mr.
Sheppard was sensible of this 9 or 10 years ago, and you will readily find
Fletcher's errors by looking into his plan of the Grand Proprietors Lots
returned to you 1759, in that he makes J. Wentworth, Mr. Vybird and
Peirces No. 3, two hundred acre lots to be 275 poles long from his farm to
the west line, whereas Esq. Sheppard in 175S find, on exact measure but
153 poles from Fletcher's farm (he had from Col" Blanchard) to our
west line. This with the three other arguments hinted at in mine of
Decemr. 1773 and Febry. 1774 must fully satisfy every unprejudiced per-
son that our west line is as far as we carry it. I must beg the favor of an
answer and with great respect,

Am, sir, your most obedt. servt.

Benja. Lynde.

Hon. G. Jaffrey, Esq.

Ipswich Hamlet 27th Dec. 1775.
Honble. Sir :

Your favors of the 21 instant I received. As I have had consider-
able leisure I have carefully looked over my papers relative to Lyudebor-
ough and am pretty well sure no letters of yours came to my hand of a later
date than 6 F'eby. 75 nor do I find I had wrote you after said February.
Times have been such as that no private business could be followed, but
now it becomes necessary or our wood and timber will be all stolen from
us. In the letter I wrote first about the lands between Lyndeboro' and
Peterboro, I then acquainted your propriety that it would be better for
us to pay the loss than be at. the charge of new laying out and marking
the lots. I have more than \ of our commons, and I now say the same.
This the mind of all of us. As we have laid out the lots, we were to get
done the small remains of our commons we must devide and not let it lay
longer. If we have entered on the Grand Proprietors interest (which I
am sure is not so) we will submit it to three persons to judge how much
we have encroached and pay for as much as we have over. Sir, although
I might write you that Mr. Holt had told me they had bought from Mr.
Borland's farm 1300 acres as far as to N end of Lyndeborough yet I sup-
pose that was a mistake as Peter boro' goes not so far north as Lynde-
borough by more than 200 rods on the west line. If so, they leave a piece
of your pine land of your 1000 acres reserved in Wallingford lot no. 8. I
beg you would ask Dr. Rogers or some that transacted the affair and
please to write me how far north the strip runs ? How wide it is at the
north end ? And as near as they can the quantity of the tract sold ? I
send you a copy of one attested by you, of Capt. R" Fletcher return of y*

74 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

200 acre lots laid out 1759 by which you find the 3 lots lying west from
his lot nieasure<l 275 rods whereas we desire only 260 rods from his lot to
our west line. I am with great respect, sir,

Your most obedt. servant,

Benja Lynde.

The Ilonble. George J affrey Esq.

at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Salem 30 Jan'y 1779.
Hon'ble Sir

I have the Pleasure of yours of the 5th Ins,t acquainting me
that y"^ Proprietors have drawn their 2d devision rights in Lyndeboro'
but you have wholly mistaken the Two rights I claim The one of which
was Col" Blanchard for settling the Interest & agreing with the agents
of the Massachusetts — the other was what I bought of his from the
right of Merservy Green & Blanchards. & Blanchard on division had
the share in Lyndeboro' so that there should have been 16 shares with
that given to Col° Blanchard for settling.

I had no part of Soly & March's share that as Colo. March told me was
his cousin Woodbridge's as the 200 acres No. 16.

I can say nothing of your 200 acre formerly or your Draft now.

I Wonder none of the Proprietors should remember that Col° Blanch-
ards assigns were to have a right as agent. My letter of vSept 1773 men-
tioned your drawing for my Two Rights I bought of Col° Blanchard
viz : on one as agent for the Proprietors & the other for Meservy Green
& Blanchard I believe the i6th lot or No 5 in Sheppard plan is where
the land is poor & none would choose it. I should not like it for one of
Blanchards unless it is by a new lott I should be glad to know Wether
your state in the Tax Act for selling nonresident lands gave a liberty of
Redeeming Lands with paying double Interest & costs a Privilege
granted in the Massachusetts State. Should it be otherwise I dout see
but that for a trifling tax a man may be divested of his Land by the
vendors cutting & carrying off the Timber & Wood worth more than y*
land itself.

I am with respects Hon Sir,

Your most obedient

Benj'n Lynde*

Salem 30 April 1779.
Honble. Sir :

Yours of the 26 of Febry after laying at the tavern at last came

to hand. It fills me with great surprise. That after a fair purchase of

Col" Blanchard's heirs on 6th. April 1759 recorded with you, I should

meet with such loss. I was present at your meeting on y* 7th. July 1760

and then drew for Col" Blanchard No, i and five, two lots and then

mentioned that we had given him one hundred pounds cash and 500

acres of land out of the settlers part for good terms, and when I wrote

Mr. Peirce deceased he writes Col" Blanchard agreed to have a right

thro' out in every town he, as agent for the Masonian Proprietary settled

with the Massachusetts men. Nor was there at the meeting any the

least objection to his two rights. The Ilonble. Col" Atkinson, the

* Addressed on outside to George Jaffrey,

SALEM-CANADA 75

Honble. Mr. Wentworth, Mr. Peirce and yourself, as I perfectly remem-
ber, were at said meetiug. The proposal of omitting the said lots was
from myself to Mr. Peirce, supposing that 3 gentlemen had each of them
200 acres in the ist. division, they might be contented with it as they
never did anything for that town, and he writes me you were all of that
opinion. I cant but think it very hard that when I askt. your drawing
mj' two lots and particular mention who I. had them of in my letter
Sept. 1773 that you would draw my two rights bought of Col° Blanchard
viz. one as he was agent for the proprietors and the other for his,
Meservy and Green's right. So also when there was some difficulty about
the location I. then wrote you as clerk that as I had two rights in the
16 lots it was my high concern and then also mention for whom. Also in
my letter to the Honble. Mr. Peirce in the fall of 1769 I write who my
rights were from, one from Col" Blanchard as agent and one more from
him, Meservy and. etc, — sometime after Deer. 1761 he had mentioned my
proposal to the proprietors and they all agreed to it.

Mr. Meservy in answer to a letter I wrote of the 26 Oct. 1761 writes me
that at a meeting the proprietors were full with me in sentiment, that the
two hundred acres already allotted to the three gentlemen of the law was
sufficient. In the same letter he writes that the power to dispose of lands
in Lyndeboro' was discretionary in Col° Blanchard, and goes on in that
strain, then says " We imagine that the lands he disposed of was as nitich
out 0/ the Proprietors reach as if they had conveyed it themselves.^' This
was the apprehension, then, and now to be disputed can be neither just
or fair with a legal or honest purchaser who ought not to be thrust out
of his right in such a manner.

It is very hard that when by my proposal each one is so advanced in
their interest, I only must be the sufferer. Surely my letter of y* 14th.
October. 1778 where I. wrote " My interest of 2/i5th. in the Grand Pro-
prietors lots I do not like to lie so" might have remembered you, sir, of
it. But if finally I can have nothing for it I must seek my remedy where
I may have it tho' with great loss. I am, sir,

Your most humbl. servant,

Benja Lynde.

The Honbl. George Jaffrey at

Portsmouth, New Hampshire. ,

Justice to the Masonian proprietors requires that a point
unnoted by the Lyndeborough proprietors' records should be
stated in connection with the remonstrance of the above letter.
The State papers, edited by A. S. Batchellor, show that at a
meeting of the Masonian proprietors on June 23, 1779, after
reviewing the drawing of the sixteen lots in Lyndeborough,
their records contain the following account :

"Whereas all the Said Sixteen Lotts were fairly drawn for at Said
Meeting, to the Rights of the fifteen original Proprietors, and entered as
drawn to them, as a Severance of the Same to their Respective Rights —
and Lot N" 5 in Sheppards Plan was drawn for the Proprietors use in
Common as aforesaid — Therefore Voted that the Said Lot N" 5 ia

76 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Sheppards Plan he and hereby is granted appropriated and Severed, to
the Said Blanchard's heir's and assigns as the Second division of his
whole Right or share be reserved to liimself as aforesaid, to have and to
hold the Same, in the Same manner as conveyed by Said Blanchard —
notwithstanding the Vote & Draft of Said I^ot N° 5 on the fifth day of
January as aforesaid for the Proprietors use in Common " — *

Boston, 16 Nov., 1797.
Dear Sir:

Col° Hutchinson has long been pursuing his right to a tract
of land which was laid out by Col° Blanchard as agent for the Masonian
Proprietors at the distance of one mile and half or two miles from the
corner of New Boston Addition. This grant, if I rightly understand the
matter, was prior to the grant or charter of Lyndeborough, and was
intended to have been brought into the n. e. corner of Lyndeborough
when that charter was granted. By such a strange mistake of Fletcher
in running the boundary line of Lyndeborough on that side of the
town there is only one short mile from the corner of New Boston Addi-
tion, and consequently this grant of Blanchard's does not come within
the township of Lyndeborough but is actually at a distance from it.
Fletcher afterwards acknowledged his error. I went with Carlton who
is now alive in this town, and is ready to testify on oath that Fletcher
went with him and showed him where the true bounds ought to be, but
Beatie and others purchasing under Wellingford had got possession of
the land and would not deliver it up without a law suit. The proprietors
of Lyndeborough were unwilling to engage in a law suit for the recovery
of their right and thus lost several hundred acres of land on that side
which they are justly entitled to at this day; but Col° Hutchinson
thinks he cannot lose his interest and that the Masonian Proprietors
under whom Col" Blanchard acted ought to see him right or give him
an equivalent. This is the purport of his present journey and he de-
sired me to give him a line of introduction to you with a general state-
ment of the business. With great esteem and respect I remain, dear sir,

Your humbl. servt.

Walter.
Hon. Geo. Jaffrey, Esq.

To the Masonian Proprietor or proprietor of the right of John Tufton
Mason Esq. in the State of New Hampshire.
Gentlemen :

In December 1753 Joseph Blanchard, Esq. as your agent by his
deed conveyed to Benjamin Lynde and others since called the Lynde-
borough proprietors, a tract of land containing twenty-eight thousand
acres called Lyndeborough, particularly bounded as expressed in the
said deed reserving however a part of the said tract within the said
bounds and among other lots therein reserved, he reserved a lot of one
hundred and fifty acres in the northeast corner of said I^yndeborough
which corner is described in the same deed to be one mile and a half
North from the Southwest corner of New Boston called Huston's Corner,
also to be at a marked tree — on the eighteenth day of May 1754 the said

*Batchellor XXVII, page 432.

SALEM-CANADA 77

Joseph Blaiicliard as your agent and by virtue of the power and author-
ity, vested in him by your propriety, by his deed conveyed to Joseph
Richardson, his heirs and assigns all the right title, interest and posses-
sion of j'our said propriety in one hundred and fifty acres of land lying
within the tracts of land called Lyndeburgh on the northerly part thereof
following the description of said reserved lot bounded of follows viz.
beginning at the former bounds Lyndeboro where it joins to New Boston
west line about one mile and a half from New Boston southerly corner
and runs from thence west one hundred and sixty rods by Lyndebofough
north line thence south one hundred and fifty rods, thence east one hun-
dred and sixty rods to New Boston line, thence northerly by New Boston
line one hundred and fifty rods to the first mentioned bounds, to have
and to hold the same forever free and clear.

Afterwards I purchased the same one hundred and fifty acres by the
same bounds I sold the same by (the same bounds) to Joshua Balch and
took his note of hand for the consideration money. In 1771, Osgood
Carleton survej'or assisted by Robert Fletcher, Esq. another surveyor at
the request of Judge Lynde, one of the Lyndeboro' committee, pro-
ceeded to locate the same piece of land, according to his direction and to
the said several deeds, and first to fix the said northeast corner of said
Lyndeborough. They measured from said Houston's corner, a point I
understand well settled northerly one mile and a half on the west line
of New Boston agreeable to the deed said Blanchard first above men-
tioned and there fixed the said northeast corner of Lyndeborough in the
said west line of New Boston at a point one mile and a half from the
said Huston's corner being the most southwesterly corner of New
Boston mentioned in the said deed and there laid out the said one hun-
dred and fifty acres in the said northeast corner according to the grant
aforesaid and by the bounds aforesaid.

Having commenced an action on said note in order to recover the con-
tents of it against Mary Balch, the executrix of the said Joshua Balch in
a trial therein which was had in the superior court of New Hampshire
in October 1795, she recovered against me a bill of costs of eighty-nine
dollars on the ground that said 150 acres or at least a great part of it
cannot be held under said Blanchard's deed, it not being within the said
north line of Lyndeborough and therefore that the consideration of the
said note was not good whereby I have lost the said note ; said eighty-
nine dollars costs and upwards of sixty dollars costs more as will appear
thus in locating the said lot the northeast corner thereof is made to
coinside with the said northeast corner of Lyndeborough and that to
according to said Blanchards deed and plan fixed at a point one mile
and a half north of Hoston's corner in New Boston west line and by the
decision of the Coiirt in the two actions brought in 17S7 by the said exe-
cution one against Rich Batten and the other against Andrew Cresse}', it
appeares the said lot cannot be laid out or extend further south, and by
finally fixing the said northeast corner of Lyndeborough at a point only
about one mile and a quarter from said Hutou's corner instead of a mile
and a half about eight fifteenths of said lot the northerly parts of it fall
within the Society lauds so called and so without the limits of said
Lyndeborough and without title under said deed of Blanchard's.

78 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

It is clear from said deed that your propriety meant to grant and the
said Richardson intended to buy 150 acres of land in the northeast
corner of Lyndeborough which your propriety reserved in the grant or
conformation of that township and not a disputed right.

In conveying the lands north of Lyndeborough in 1767 the parties
foUoYi^ up their line to the northwest corner of New Boston and then
measure south one mile on the east line of that town to a hemlock tree,
then west three miles and a quarter by Lyndeborough, hence they and
your property made it two miles and a half from said northwest corner of
New Boston to said Huston's corner as appears by their deed and said
lUanchard's deed first above mentioned but it is now stated that this line
is found to be only about two miles and a quarter long and that no par-
ticular tree was ever run to or marked as making the corner as men-
tioned in said deeds, and thence this vexatious dispute and difficulty
arises, and perhaps the boundry lines of Lyndesboro' traced as described
in Blanchard's deed could never be made to meet and would if followed
imbrace more than twentj^-eight thousand acres, if from the considera-
tion of these errors you and the Lyndeborough proprietors have been
induced to allow the said northeast corner of Lyudel:)orough expressly
fixed in your said grant in 1753 to be at a point one mile and a half
north of said Huston's corner to be moved about eighty rods south
towards said corner and by this concession and admeasurements made
since your grant, under which said lot is held, I persuade myself you
will not hesitate to defend or compensate for such parts of that eighty
rods as were located previous to such concessions under your grants.

Wherefore I have to request you to indemnify me in the premises bv
allowing other lands or monies that shall be a reasonable compensation.

Israel Hutchinson.

Danvers Feb. 5th. 1798.

The last entry made in the proprietors' records of Lyndebor-
ough by Benjamin Lynde, Esq., proprietors' clerk, is dated
1778. April 30, 1779, he wrote to the Masoniau proprietors,
remonstrating against their sale of two rights in the town which
he had purchased, and seeking some suitable redress.
No proper rectification of his losses appears from the records,
save that stated on pages 75 and 76 above.

After many successive adjournments of their meetings, the
Lyndeborough proprietors met again at Salem, Mass., May 21,
1783. Mr. Lynde died in 1782. His grandson, Benjamin
Lynde Oliver, became for a time his successor in the Lyndebor-
ough interests. At this last named meeting Benjamin Lynde
Oliver was chosen moderator and Stephen Goodhue, clerk. The
business transacted indicates a purpose to close up the affairs of
the "Propriety" as speedily as possible. For this object a
committee was elected to get the common lands laid out and sur-
veyed; to settle with the Masoniau proprietors and with any others

SALEM-CANADA 79

whose lots had been cut into, and allow them compensation out
of the common lands for their losses ; and further, to prosecute
trespassers or settle with them without prosecution. This com-
mittee consisted of Benjamin Lynde Oliver, William Pickman
and Stephen Goodhue.

Again, meetings were repeatedl)' called and adjourned till
Oct. 8, 1783, when it was voted to raise nine shillings L. M.
on each right to defray necessary charges. From the last date
till May 25, 1792, no record appears on the proprietors' book.

In that intervening period great uncertainty prevailed in all
parts of the country. The surrender at Yorktown was not
viewed on all hands as decidedly closing the war for independ-
ence. The ensuing years were full of ferment, uneasiness, tur-
moil and financial depression. The new government was
launched, but had not as yet been tested. Confidence in it was
found to be "a plant of slow growth." Many of its best friends
were by no means sure of its complete success. To its strongest
supporters it was a serious question whether it would outride
the storms that rudely beat upon it. But the new Constitution
was finally adopted, and our peerless first President, " first in
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,"
was elected, inaugurated and placed at the helm of state.
Confidence superseded distrust. The helmsman was sane and
skilful, alert and self-poised, powerful and determined ; and the
ship of state passed safely out of the stormy zone into smoother
waters, more assured sea room, and a serener and more prosper-
ous outlook.

May 22, 1792, we find the following record : —

Petition.

To John Shepard Esq"^ one of the Justices of the Peace within
& for the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire.

The Petition of the Subscribers, Proprietors of the Common
& Undived Land, in the Township of Ivyndeborough in said
County,

Pray your Honor, to issue your Warrant for calling a meeting
of the Proprietors of said Conmion, & undivided Land, to be
holden at the House of Capt. Benjamin French Innholder in
Dunstable in said County "on Tuesday the Eleventh day of Sep-
tember next, at Ten of the Clock in the forenoon, to act upon
the following Articles, Viz.

ist. To choose a Moderator to regulate said Meeting.

so HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

2nd. To choose a Clerk, Committee & other Officers if need be.
3rd. To determine on some effectual method for dividing said
Lands so that they may be held in Severalty, or to sell the same
entirely. To .settle with the Original Grantors & all Persons
whomsoever, having Demands against the said Proprietors, &
to see if they will prosecute such person or persons as may have
committed Waste upon, or unlawfully entered or trespassed upon
said Common Interest, or any part thereof ; and do whatsoever
may be necessary for a final settlement.

vSalem 22'"^ May 1792 William Walter

William Pickman
Andrew Oliver
Samuel Welles
Stephen Goodhue
B. Goodhue
Nehemiah Rand.

The warrant was issued in response to the foregoing petition,
and was published in the "Boston Chronicle" and the news-
paper at Portsmouth three weeks in succession, and the meeting
was duly held and in legal form. " Present a large majority of
the Proprietors aforesaid."

Voted Rev. Wm. Walter, D.D., moderator, and Rev. Sewall
Goodridge, clerk. " A letter from John Pierce Esq., as Agent
for the Grantors of the Town of Lyndeborough Township di-
rected to the Grantees in the present Meeting, making proposals
respecting certain deficiencies of Land in the proportion assigned
them by the Charter, was then read & considered, and thereon
Voted that the same lie over for further consideration."

" Upon examining the Charter & carefully comparing it with
the plan, it appears, that the line extending from the Southwest
Corner of New Boston Addition ought to run One Mile & an
half North. Whereas by the encroachment of certain Persons
purchasing under Col" Wallingford, the line does not exceed
One Mile — by which a great loss accrues to the Grantees, as
well as much difficulty in laying out the lots bounding on that
line. Therefore Voted, that one or more Agents be appointed
to treat with the aforesaid Purchasers of Wallingford right & if
possible to come to an amicable adjustment of the dispute so as
to ascertain the length of said line, & in failure thereof to com-
mence a Prosecution for the recovery of the Land by them
wrongfully detained." Voted, to choose two Agents, & chose
Coir Phillip Putnam & Nehemiah Rand Esq. and the meeting

SALEM-CANADA 81

adjourned to the last Tuesday in October, at ii o'cl. in the fore-
noon, at the same place.

At this adjourned meeting the Moderator & Clerk of the
former meeting were present & also Nehemiah Rand Esq. &
Col" Phillip Putnam, in their own Right & by Agency repre-
senting Twenty eight Shares.

The agents reported ' ' that they had waited on several of the
Purchasers of Colonel Wallingford's lyOt, & after two confer-
ences with the principal of them, it was agreed that they would
attend this meeting to confer with the Proprietors then
Assembled."

"Messrs. Betton, Fisher & Butterfield did attend, and after
much time spent in explaining & hearing the Grounds of the
different Claims, it was agreed at the request of the Purchasers
aforesaid " to refer the matters in dispute to the next meeting,
to enable them meantirae, "to obtain the Sense of their Part-
ners on the Subject."

' ' Mr. Atherton being present in behalf of the Grantors, pro-
posed that the I^etter from John Pierce Esqr. be taken into con-
sideration ; whereupon,

Voted, That any Interference of Mr. Carleton's Survey of
Eight lyots laid out to the Grantors with the Survey formerly
made by Mr. Fletcher shall be duly attended to, & if any errors
they shall be rectified."

After a further consideration of accounts against the * ' Pro-
priety," a vote was passed, empowering the committee. Col.
Putnam and Mr. Rand, to dispose of enough of the common
land joining on the north side of Wilton to pay the debts, then
nearly sixty pounds.

" Rev. Mr. Sewell Goodridge desired that the Proprietors
would consider of an Encouragement ' ' given him by the pro-
prietors' committee in 1779, "that he should have a strip of
Common on Wilton Line, containing about thirty-five acres,"
and showed a paper to that effect, signed by the late Judge
I^ynde, as proprietors' clerk.

The case was considered and the land granted, and Nehemiah
Rand Esq. was appointed to execute the deed of conveyance.
The proprietors further, voted, "that the Committee, Mr.
Rand and Col. Putnam apply to John Shepard, Esq. to inspect
and see what errors or deficiencies have arose from the Survey
of Carlton's Eight I,ots on the North West Corner of the town
by interfering with Fletcher's Survey of Nineteen Lots to

S2 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

the Grand Proprietors on that side, and that a copy of the
same be delivered to the Committee for the Inspection and use
of the Proprietors." After this the meeting adjourned to the
third Tuesday of Feb., 1793. At this latter date, Feb. 19,
1793, the purchasers of Wallingford's lands were present and
' ' exhibited a variety of papers and Plans endeavoring to con-
vince the Propriety (of Lyndeborough) that they ought to be
contented with the Line at the head of New Boston addition,
though it measures by their own Survey One Mile & 103 Rods
only, instead of One Mile & half as by Charter, & Mr. Robert
Fletcher's Plan." What was offered by Messrs. Betton &c.
being in no respect satisfactory. Doctor Walter then moved,
"That to avoid an expensive & lengthy Lawsuit, the Parties
should agree to leave the Line in dispute to Referrees, to be
mutually chosen & to abide by their decision, let them decide
as they may. This was consented to by all the Proprietors of
Lyndeboro' present, but was refused by the Purchasers under
Wallingford, — they chusing to have the matter decided in a
regular Course of Law."*

Nehemiah Rand Esq., and Col. Putnam, the committee ap-
pointed to sell so much of the common lands as would suflSce to
pay the debts of the " Propriety " and redeem such redeemable
lands as have been sold for taxes, exhibited a plan of a strip on
Wilton line which they had caused to be surveyed and ap-
praised and reported that ' ' there were Persons in Treaty for the
same, and though not as yet sold, there was no doubt but the
whole would be shortly sold, and they should be in Cash for
the purposes of their appointment. Voted, That all further
proceedings respecting the prosecution of the Purchasers of
Wallingford's Lot as Intruders, be deferred till the adjourn-
ment of this meeting." But, meantime, Mr. Rand and Dr.
Walter were to procure, each respectively, from John Shepard
Esq., and Col. Israel Hutchinson what information he could
respecting the lands in dispute, and report accordingly at the
next meeting.

"Voted, That the agents sell with all convenient speed the
Lands laid out on the South Line of Lyndeborough by Wilton,
& before the next meeting do discharge all Debts, Dues &
Demands against the Proprietors, as far as shall come to their
knowledge.

Voted, That they cause a Survey to be made of Two Lots

♦Proprietors' Records for Feb. 19, 1793.

SALEM-CANADA 83

of 130 Acres each to be laid out to the Grand Proprietors, to
make up the Deficiency they claim. And one Lot of 60 Acres
to the Town to be for the Public School. And so much to
those two or three Lots which were in part cut off by Wilton
as will make up their Quantity."

The records indicate a succession of endeavors to deal
honestly, to pay all just debts and demands, and fulfill all
agreements entered into by charter or other contract.

The agents appointed reported the discovery of great damages
which had been done to the interest of the proprietors in
Lyndeborough ; and ' ' that they had taken such measures as
they apprehend have effectually put a stop to any further
depredations, and beg to be informed what is further advisable
to be done in the Business, upon which

Voted, That the Agents have the Thanks of this Propriety for
their vigilance, & the part they have taken & that it be referred
to the next meeting to determine what necessary steps shall be
taken to recover the damages that appear to have been done.

Voted, That Nehemiah Rand Esq. be Authorized and em-
powered to make the Couvej^ances of the Land to be sold, in
the Name of the Propriety.

Voted, A strip upon Wilton East Line to Rev. Sewall Good-
ridge in lieu of his rights in the commons, one-third of which,
however, he was empowered to sell and convey when a purchaser
appeared, and give the money to the agents for the proprietors."

At the meeting in June, it w^as thought that they ought to
appoint a treasurer, and they accordingly appointed Dr. William
Walter to that office.

Col. Putnam then informed the proprietors that Mr. Rand
and he had sold the largest part of the strip on Wilton ; that
they had paid the taxes due on redeemable lands and they
were redeemed accordingly ; but that for the remainder, they
had taken notes of hand payable in six months from date,
which he accordingly delivered to the treasurer ; viz :

Notes dated

Mar. 23, 1793, by Jacob Dascomb

Indorsed, Paid
Mar. 23, 1793, by James Dascomb Jr.

Indorsed, Paid
Mar. 23, 1793, by Jacob Putnam

Indorsed, Paid
Mar. 23, 1793, by Daniel Batchelder
Mar. 25, 1793, by Daniel Goold

Indorsed, Paid
Apr. 22, by Simeon Holt

£•

84 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Nehemiah Rand Esq. exhibited a correct plan of the com-
mons taken by John Shepard Esq., together with the lot laid
out for the school, 60 acres, two lots of 130 acres each to the
lord proprietors and one lot of 130 acres to the right of Swan.
Also receipts for taxes paid 1788 and 1789, with deeds which
had been given by the constables for land sold for taxes, now
redeemed — the whole amounting to 13^ i shilling and 10
pence.

" Voted, That the lots set off to the proprietors on the plan be
accepted and further

Voted, That Nehemiah Rand Esq., Col. Philip Putnam, and
Maj. Daniel Goold be and hereby are a committee to prosecute
trespassers, or to adjust settlements with them in such manner
as they think best. Adjourned to the third Tuesday of Septem-
ber, 1793."

Met again at last named date and place, Dunstable, present
Rev. Wm. Walter, D.D., moderator, and Rev. S. Goodridge,
clerk, and a majority of the proprietors. The committee ap-
pointed to treat with trespassers reported ; that they had settled
with the major part of them, and in their deliberate judgment,
upon the best terms they could, and had taken their notes pay-
able on demand, for the adjudged damages, giving them dis-
charges severally.

" They further report, that the sums agreed for together with
what they expect. They apprehend, will be sufficient to dis-
charge all the taxes that have been laid on the said common
from time to time in years past, & for redeeming the land sold,
& to pay the committee's expense of attending the business, as
also the attorney & Judge Shepard's bills for assisting the com-
mittee. The report was accepted.

They then voted, that the school lot of 60 acres laid out by
John Shepard, Esq. on the north line of Eyndeborough by
Greenfield be accepted."

This appears to be the first mention of Greenfield in the pro-
prietors' records. It had been "incorporated June 15, 1791,
and was composed of portions of Society Land, Peterborough
and Lyndeborough and land between the two last named towns,
called Lyndeborough Gore."*

The portion taken from Lyndeborough contained the homes
of many of our noble citizens who had distinguished themselves
in the Revolutionary War, and as such rightly adorn the records
of our town.

*Hist. of HiHsboro County, p. 331.

SALEM-CANADA 85

Resuming the record of Sept., 1793, the L,yndeborough
grantees proceed :

" And now having laid out to the Lords Proprietors the lands
due to them by charter, & having satisfied all other claimants as
far as have come to the knowledge of the Grantees," they vote to
sell all the remaining comtnou lands at auction. Notice of this
sale was given ; but before it came off, there arose a doubt
whether it could be legally done. The sale had been appointed
for l^the 29th of October, 1793; but owing to doubt as to its
legality, the auction was adjourned to the last Tuesday of April,
1794. It was then voted to petition the General Court for power
to effect such sale; and Nehemiah Rand, Esq., was appointed
to present the petition, which he did. The Legislature were of
opinion " that the powers of the Judge of Probate by the exist-
ing laws, were sufficient for the settlement of the propriety."

The following letter was read and considered, and it was
voted that the same be signed by the clerk and sent to John
Pierce, Esq., clerk of the Masonian proprietors, in answer to his
letter, dated Sept. 5, 1792.

John Pierce Esq.

Sir.

The proprietors of the common & undivided
lands in Lyndeborough have received your letter of Sep. 5, 1792
with your proposals inclosed ; and after minutely weighing the
contents were of the opinion, that whatever deficiency there was
in lots No. 4 & 5, should be made good to those lots. And also
as two of the lots laid out to the grantors, were entirely cut off,
so that the proprietors of No. i & 2 had lost their lands, that
two other lots in some part of the commons, consisting of 150
acres each, should be laid out to them ; that a final close might
be made between the grantors & proprietors.

And I have the honor now to acquaint you that the proprie-
tors have caused by their Surveyor, John Shepard Esq. the defic-
iencies in Lots No. 4 & 5, to be made up. And two lots of 150
acres each, to be laid out of the commons for the grantors agree-
able to the Survey, which I have the honor to transmit you,
which I hope will be satisfactory. And am with esteem,

Your most Humble Servant

S. Goodridge, Proprietors' Clerk.

The Lyndeborough proprietors voted to place on their records

86 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

the letter of John Pierce, Esq., of Sept. 5, 1792, to which the
preceding letter was answer. The letter is as follows :

Portsmouth Sept. 5, 1792.
Gentlemen.

You will find by the inclosed vote of thfe Masonian pro-
prietors, the grantors of Ivyndboro' that I am'appointed to settle
with the grantees, respecting the common land, and by the set-
tlement inclosed, that there is an interference between the first
division of 200 acre lots by Fletcher, & the second division lots
of 150 acres by Carleton. This was occasioned by Judge
Lynde's ordering a resurvey of Fletcher's lots, by which means
he crowded them so together as to leave room for near three of
Carleton 's lots, in the northwest corner, whereas in fact, there
is room for only about one lot ; now this resurvey is totally inad-
missible, for after Judge lyynde had returned Fletcher's plan, &
it had been accepted, & the lots drawn for & recorded it made a
decided severance of that division of lots to the individuals who
severally drew each lot, & no act either of the grantors or
grantees could alter that severance, & each individual will
clearly hold by Fletcher's plan, & the bounds made by him,
whether they be right or wrong, more or less ; whoever drew
each lot must finally abide by it, & will forever be consigned to
those bounds. And many persons have bought those lots, & I
conclude have set themselves down by Fletcher's bounds & no
other. I think, Gentlemen, after examing our statement and
plans, you will clearly see that the proprietors who drew Lots
No. I & No. 2, in Carleton's survey have lost their whole lots.
And the proprietors of No. 4 & No. 5, have lost a considerable
part of theirs. And that on the whole there is a further defic-
iency of 26 acres to the grantors in common. And that previous
to your making any further disposition of the common land, you
will do us the justice to lay out 150 acres for each of the lots No.
I and No. 2, and as much land for lots No. 4 & No. 5, as are
found to be laid out in the first division of 200 acre lots, of equal
quality with the lands in general. And as the grantors would
not have applied for the 26 acres, if there had been no error, we
shall not now trouble the grantees about it. But if the defic-
iences of the four lots before mentioned are made up in quantity
& quality, forever relinquish all further claim to the common
lauds in lyyndeborough. Although the grantors apprehend.

SALEM-CANADA 87

they have a legal & just claim to a further division in the com-
mons over and above the 26 acres.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your most Humble Servant,

John Pierce.

To the proprietors of Ivyndeborough in proprietors' meeting
at Dunstable assembled on Tuesday the nth day of Sept. at
II o'clock before noon.

How appropriate to this speak Shakespeare's witches, " Fair
is foul and foul is fair." Not a tittle as to correcting their own
errors, so long as poor obsequious Lyndeborough is in their
clutches !

The Ivyndeborough proprietors requested the moderator,
April, 1794, to write to the Masonian proprietors that they had
complied with their demands, as stated in the foregoing letter,
and they now request from them a full and final discharge.

They then adjourned to Sept. 2, 1794.

At the meeting on the last-named date. Col. Putnam, chair-
man of committee on the sale of land &c., reported that several
of the trespassers had been consulted, and they had requested
a stay of legal process till the proposals of the committee could
be considered by their associates. And as the death of Nehe-
miah Rand Esq. had happened about that time, the committee
had proceeded no further in the premises.

It was then voted that John Shepard, Esq., administrator of the
estate of Nehemiah Rand, Esq., be appointed to fill the latter's
place on the committee. Voted, further, that the committee
cause actions at law to be brought against all trespassers on the
common lands in Ivyndeborough or Greenfield, and report results
at the next meeting. The Rev. Dr. Walter also reported that
" he had seen Messrs. Jaffrey and John Pierce Esq. at Ports-
mouth, to whom he had made the request that the grand pro-
prietors would give to the lyyndeboro' proprietors a full and
final discharge of all demands whatever, which request they
promised to lay before the proprietors at their next meeting, and
supposed there would be no difiiculty in granting it." The
Rev. Sewall Goodridge was authorized to make and execute all
conveyances left unfinished by Nehemiah Rand, Esq., deceased.
Several accounts were presented and approved, amounting to a
sum which required 50^ to discharge the debts, and the com-
mittee was empowered to sell land sufficient to produce the re-
quired sum. Adjourned.

88 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

The proprietors met again the last Tuesday of May, 1795, but
only to call to order and adjourn again to the last Tuesday in
June, 1795.

At this meeting the committee reported "that they had set-
tled, & taken leases of all the trespassers, except Solomon Cram,
Joshua Stiles, & Israel Balch, whom they have prosecuted, &
whose actions are still in litigation."

Mr. Jacob Wellman, Jr., produced a deed showing a good
title to a full share or right in the common lands, under Capt.
Benjamin Goodhue, and in the previous November meeting, had
petitioned that ' ' he might have the privilege of laying off 40
acres which he has improved, adjoining the north and north-
westerly part of his own land as a full share or right in the com-
mon & undivided land. The " Propriety," therefore, voted that
his petition be granted, and that the said land " is hereby
granted to him, his 'heirs & assigns forever." Pursuant to
this vote, a description of the piece of land and its measurement
was presented by the committee and the same was accepted.

The meeting on the third Tuesday in October received a re-
port in regard to the trespassers that the actions in law against
them were necessarily laid over to the next term of court. The
return of a survey of a lot of 130 acres laid out to the heirs of
Robert Swan in lieu of the lot returned the second Tuesday in
June, 1795, was presented by Capt. Benjamin Epes, surveyor,
and was accepted ; and the clerk was directed to give a deed.
Accounts for services were presented by Major Goold and Rev.
S. Goodridge, and were voted, allowed, and further instructions
were given the committee on sale of lands, after which the meet-
ing adjourned to the second Tuesday in June, 1796.

Second Tuesday in June. — The committee on the sale of land
at this meeting reported that the three trespassers who had most
stubbornly resisted settlement heretofore had come to terms.
Mr. Solomon Cram had given his note on demand for $80,
and had taken a deed of a certain piece of common land. " Mr.
Joshua Stiles had disclaimed his right of soil, & the action
was dropped, — said Stiles to pay costs." Mr. Israel Balch was
present and disclaimed his right of soil. The action was
dropped, and he paid costs. "A petition was presented by
their committee from the Town of lyyndeboro', stating that by
the charter, the town was entitled to ten acres of land about the
meetinghouse, & praying the .same may be laid out."

" Voted, that this propriety can do nothing in this business ;

SALEM-CANADA 89

The Town having made a private agreement with Mr. George
Goold, deceased, for setting the meetinghouse on his lot number
70." The meeting adjourned to 6 o'clock in the morning of next
day, June 15, 1796. Accounts of John Shepard, Esq., were ex-
amined and allowed, the sums received from the trespassers
being discounted. Then they voted, "that all impediments
being now removed from an immediate division of the undivided
land in Lyndeboro', so many of the proprietors as choose to
apply to the Judge of Probate in the County of Hillsborough to
have their shares set off to them, have now an opportunity of
making application accordingly.

The meeting adjourned to the third Tuesday in Sept. next —
at this place — at 9 o'clock A. M.; to receive all demands
against the propriety, & to settle finally all remaining accounts
relating thereto. And all the proprietors will attend said meet-
ing — free of all cost & charge against the propriety aforesaid."

Third Tuesday in Sept., 1796. — Mr. Goodridge reported that
he and Major Goold had attended the Probate Court at New
Ipswich the third Tuesday in August, and presented their peti-
tion for a division of the land. But objection was made by
Richard Goold that lot No. 4, bought of George Jaffrey, Esq.,
fell short of measure ; and by Doctor Russell that the ministerial
lot lacked 10 acres on Wilton line, which had not been made
up. On this account the judge had adjourned further consid-
eration of the petition to his court in Amherst the third Tuesday
of October next. Satisfaction was made for these deficiencies,
and all accounts were properly settled and audited. A letter
from John Pierce, Esq., was read, and the moderator, Dr.
Walter, was appointed and desired to answer it in the name of
the proprietors. The meeting then adjourned, to meet at the
house of Major Daniel Goold in Lyndeborough, the first Tues-
day of November next at 9 o'clock A. M.

The proprietors met according to preceding adjournment at
the house of Major Daniel Goold in Lyndeborough. Rev. Dr.
Walter read a letter prepared by him according to the proprie-
tors' request, to be sent to John Pierce, Esq.; and it was voted
to accept and place the same on record. The letter is the
following :

To John Pierce Esq. Portsmouth.
Sir.

Your letter of September 17th, was
received by the proprietors of L,yndeborough at their late meet-

9Q HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

ing in Dunstable, the contents thereof were fully discussed, and
I was directed to communicate their sentiments upon the sub-
ject. You will permit me to call to your remembrance the con-
tents of your former letter, Sep. 1792, wherein you declare
yourself fully authorized by the Masonian Proprietors, to com-
municate to us the extent of their demands, against the pro-
priety of Lyndeborough, which were to have two lots laid out to
you in lieu of No. i & 2, cut off by Carlton's survey laying over
Fletcher's, — and to have No. 4 & 5, made up what deficiency
was said to be in them ; and then in behalf of the Masonian
proprietors, you declare, that these conditions being complied
with, you would forever quit all demands upon the proprietors of
Lyndeborough; although — further demands might be made.
No words can more fully express your mind, no conditional en-
gagement can be stronger in honor or in law.

Without entering into the merits of the different surveys or
contending that you had already received your quantity, except
26 acres, as appears by Fletcher's resurvey of the 19 lots, &
Carleton finding space enough to lay out his eight lots; without
entering, I say, into this old dispute, for peace sake the pro-
prietors of Lyndeborough immediately voted to comply with
your request, & to rectify what you called errors in Carlton's
survey ; by which more than 300 acres are in effect given to the
Masonian Proprietors beyond their strict due. A committee, at
the same time, was appointed to lay out the two lots, & survey
No. 4 & 5, to make up the deficiencies in them, if any there
were. The committee were two of our most respectable mem-
bers, Esqr. Rand & Col. Putnam who took with them one of the
most respectable Surveyors in the neighborhood, John Shepard,
Esq. They went over the commons & finally fixed on that part
of them which lies toward Amherst, & laid out two lots No. i &
2, in lieu of the same numbers in Carleton's survey, said to be
cut off, & regular return was made to us & accepted at our
meeting June 1793. And an official report to you, as Agent of
the Masonian proprietors was ordered to be made, & was in fact
made as appears by a copy of the letter which stands on the
records of the clerk of the propriety.

I presume therefore it must have escaped your recollection,
when you say that no return has been made of this survey. The
land so laid out, is now declared by Col. Putnam, Major Goold,
Rev. Mr. Goodridge & Esqr. Shepard to be equal to the com-
mons in general, well wooded & laying near a sawmill, & what-

SALEM-CANADA 91

ever old Mr. Rand might have said to you in a jocular manner,
or might be said by others maliciously — it is supposed to be
any day worth a dollar per acre or more. This I presume, must
satisfy you of its being more than a tolerable proportion to the
land lost, — especially when I assure you that I have myself, ,
this week, agreed for the sale of one of my second division lots,
near the centre of that town, for less than one dollar an acre.
As to lots No. 4 & 5, they also were surveyed at the same time.
No. 5 was found to be more than complete, & the committee
thought it as reasonable to take off the surplus, as to add to No.
4 a deficiency that might be found in it.

But as you are pleased to say, the lots being drawn for &
sold must stand as it is, be it more or less, we have ordered a
new inspection of No. 4, & have made up that lot to the satis-
faction of the purchaser, leaving No. 5 with all its overplus.

After this we presumed certainly upon having a final discharge
from the Masonian proprietors, as from Gentlemen who must
feel themselves by their most solemn promise under every obli-
gation as men of honor to give it to us without a moment's
delay. Instead of which we have a new demand for a deficiency
in No. 6, — & we know not but some time hence still further de-
mands will be made under the threat, that you or some other
gentleman cannot acquiesce in the final division of the com-
mons till these conditions are complied with.

But, Sir, the proprietors of Lyndeborough are not to be awed
into endless submissions by threats contained in public or pri-
vate letters. As to No. 6, I am directed to say, that We Know
Not the State of that lot. It may be delinquent — but if it
is, we presume the fault is not ours, for it lies on the North
Side of the town, which line we have for 30 years back been
complaining to the Masonian Proprietors as being crowded too
far South by Beton & others, who purchased Wallingford's
lot, and have prayed their interference to do us justice by giv-
ing to us who were the first purchasers the extent which our

♦Wallingford's Lot No. 8, in Society Land, was an extensive tract of 5000 acres, more
or less. It was sold for iao£ , or about looo dollars. The purchasers were seventeen
men, most of whom were from Derry, who, whether intentionally or not, crowded over
& encroached upon Lyndeborough. This not only disturbed Judge Lynde, as appears
from his letters, but also disturbed all the Lyndeborough proprietors. For, the en-
croachment fell chiefly upon common land, in which all these proprietors were inter-
ested. The names of the seventeen purchasers follow, — Samuel, William, and Adam
Dickey, Thomas and William Boyd, Kdward Aiken, and Edward Aiken, Jr., Jonn Taylor,
William Butterfield, Samuel Fisher, Isaac Brewster, John MacKeen, John S(i)enter,
Robert Barnet, Hugh Montgomery, John Hall, and James Betton. (Proprs. Records, last
page. See also, Hist. Franceslown, p. 429, which, however, gives but 15 names).

92 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

charter gives us on that side. But we hav^e not been able to
procure from them the smallest exertions, not even to the mov-
ing of one of their fingers, to displace the burden — by which we
are losers of some hundred of acres. And if you also are a loser,
, it is no matter of admiration, but surely your complaints should
not be sent to us.

I have therefore, only to say in behalf of the proprietors of
Lyndeborough, that if the Masonian proprietors will carry back
or cause to be carried back that line^ so as to give us our just
claim on that side and there shall then be any deficiency in No.
6, or any other lot bordering on that line, we will instantly make
up the deficiency whatever it may be. This I presume, Sir, will
convince you that we have done all that j^ou, or any reasonable
men could expect, and induce you to give us what you have so
long denied us, A Full & Final Discharge. If this is still
cruelly denied us — we must appeal to the powers which are,
above us.

I am Sir with due respect yoMX most Obedient

Humble Servant,

Walter.

After the reading and considering of the preceding letter,
Rev. Mr. Goodridge reported that he had attended Probate
Court at Amherst the third Tuesday of October last, and observ-
that the petition by mistake mentioned only the common lands
in lyyndeboro, omitting those of Greenfield, he let the matter
lie as though nothing had been done. " Voted, to take up the
matter tomorrow evening. Met, according to adjournment,
Nov. 2, 1796. Present, Dr. W. Walter, Mod., Rev. S. Good-
ridge, Clerk, Hon. John Shepard Esq., Col. Philip Putnam,
and Major Daniel Goold.

Voted, to withdraw the petition to the Judge of Probate for
severance &c. and proceed to a division as the law^ permits
without such application to Judge of Probate. Voted further,
to appoint a committee of two judicious persons to set a value
on the different pieces of common in Lyndeboro and Greenfield,
and make a return of their valuation to the next meeting of
the proprietors. Deacon Ephraim Putnam and Capt. Peter
Clark were appointed this committee. Adjourned."

The .second Tuesday of December, 1796, the proprietors met
at Major Gould's in I^yndeborough, and the committee ap-
pointed to value the several pieces of common lands reported,
and their report was accepted. The Rev. Dr. Walter requested

SALEM-CANADA 93

that as he was proprietor of the largest number of shares, he
might be allowed the first choice ; and the proprietors state,
that " as we consider he has taken the lead in all matters that
have been transacted in the meetings of the propriety since
1792, and been eminently serviceable to said propriety, voted,
That he be allowed his choice in the division of said commons,
provided he make his choice known at the next meeting."

" Voted, to sell land enough to pay the debt of 100 dollars ;
and as there is uncertainty in respect to the admeasurement of
several pieces of common land in Lyndeborough and Greenfield,
voted, that Major Daniel Goold and Ensign John Savage be a
committtee to measure the same and make report thereof at the
next meeting. Adjourned to meet at the same place, Major
Goold's, the third Tuesda)' in April, 1797." At this meeting,
December, 1796, the name of Jacob Flynn appears for the first
time as one of the proprietors. He was a resident of Milford,
and lived " in the north-west part of the town on the place more
recently owned by John Rand. In addition to the business of
farming, he at different times in his life was engaged in busi-
ness as a taverner and trader. He was also repeatedly elected
to town offices and engaged in the settlement of estates."*

Third Tuesday of April.

Major Goold, one of the committee chosen to sell a piece
of land in order to pay the debt, reported that sickness and
deaths in his family had prevented his attention to the matter of
making any sale ; and reported further, that he and Ensign
Savage, who had been appointed to take measurements of the
several pieces of common land in Lyndeborough and Green-
field, had found it impracticable to proceed on account of the
unfavorable season, but would do so whenever the season per-
mitted. Rev. Mr. Goodridge named the several pieces of
common land chosen by Dr. Walter, viz., "The land in com-
mons near Mr. Flynn's, near the Widow Peabody's, the land on
which Joseph Epes & Timothy Mclntire live, also the land on
which Ebenezer Hutchinson dwells, & any commons adjoining
said pieces, or near his two lots No. 2 and 5, on Amherst line."
Meeting adjourned to the second Wednesday in June at 9 A.
M. at the same place.

Second Wednesday in June, 9 A. M. Major Daniel Goold's
in Lyndeborough.

Major Goold was chosen moderator ; and he reported that he

* Milford Hist., pp. 184 and 185.

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

and Ensign Savage, with Andrew Fuller Esq. as surveyor,
"had gone over the several pieces of commons concerning
which there was any doubt and have made a plan which they
offer to the proprietors as a true account of the quantity of the
commons in Lyndeboro and Greenfield." Voted that the same
be accepted. Several accounts of the clerk, the committee, and
others for services were presented, allowed and by vote ordered
to be paid. Voted, to sell to Dr. Walter a strip of land East of
the Scataquog Hills sufficient to pay all his demands ; and that
a deed be executed by the clerk for the same in the name of the
" Propriety." A vote was taken, confirming to Rev. Sewall
Goodridge the two pieces of land granted him by the proprie-
tors as part of his settlement, referred to Feb. ii, 1778. It was
voted, also, to place on record in the proprietors' book, a list
of the commons in Lyndeborough and Greenfield, containing
the number of pieces, the quantity of acres, and the value by
apprisement this day exactly taken ; which is as follows :

lyisT OF Commons in Lyndeborough and Greenfield,
Their Quantity and Value.

No.

Acres

Apprizec

1 at Value

Near Amherst contains

|6. pel

' ac. i 150

East of Scataquog

606

I. '

606

On Amherst line

129

3-50'

451-50

In two pieces, Hutchinson

150

Jos. Epes & Mclntire

130

520

South of Fletcher grant

23 >^

2 '

Joins Francestown

356

5 '

1780

West of Swan lot

29>^

2 '

Northwest cor. old Lyndeborough

^Yz '

Near Wilton in two pieces

117

l/z '

175-50

Near Mr. Flynn

Whole number of acres

177

3 '

531

1667

$4506 value

This sum, 4506 dollars was to be divided into 43 shares,
which which would give for each share the sum of $104.79.

1. It was proposed to offer Dr. Russell a small piece of about
12 acres near Johnson's poor land, provided he will pay Esq.
Fuller for a plan of old Lyndeborough and commons as directed
by the proprietors this 13th of June, 1797, and the clerk to give
a deed.

2. Voted, that Rev. Dr. Walter have leave to choose out of
the pieces of commons as many as shall amount to the shares
which he claims in value, that is, 1466 dollars. Dr. Walter
presented a list of the pieces which he had cho.sen, numbers

SALEM-CANADA 95

I) 3. 4. 9. lo, amounting, it is stated (erroneously), to 493
acres (should be 498). This land was valued at 1458 dollars.
" Voted, that his choice be and hereby is allowed ; " and ordered
that " the clerk execute deed for the same to him, his heirs and
assigns forever." Voted various portions of this land described
to the other shareholders, and directed the clerk to give deeds
of the same to the several persons, their heirs and assigns for-
ever. Such deeds were issued to Major Daniel Goold, Mr.
Joseph Sweet by his agent, Rev. Sewall Goodridge, Mr. John
Savage, Mr. Jacob Flynn, Col. Philip Putnam, Dr. B. Lynde
Oliver, Andrew Oliver Esq. and Mary Oliver, his wife. Voted,
"That all and every of the votes and transactions of the pro-
priety in this and all the foregoing meetings be and they are
hereby confirmed and ratified. Voted that this meeting be ad-
journed to the first Wednesday of October next, at 9 o'clock
A. M., at this place.

Met as by appointment above ; but as the weather was very
stormy, adjourned one week. The second Wednesday in
October, at Major Goold's in lyyndeborough. Present — Major
Daniel Goold, Mod. ; Rev. Sewall Goodridge, Clerk, and agent
for several proprietors ; and (two new names) Mr. Joseph
Crosby on a half share of Mr. Wells and Mr. Daniel Pearson,
as agent for the heirs of David Nichols.

David, or Daniel Nichols drew common land on home lot No.
52, Jacob Wellman, on home lot No. ^y. Timothy Hartshorn
and Elizabeth Pearsons, widow, heirs to Daniel Nichols, had
104^ acres of land laid off to them on the south-east corner of
No. 2, West and North of Jacob Wellman. Joseph Crosby
had 52 acres laid off to him on Mr. Wells' Right, west of
Nichols' share No. 2.

At the meeting in June, 1797, Dr. B. Lynde Oliver had three
shares voted him, which by some mistake measured equal to
two. They voted him land sufficient to make up his quantity
immediately west of the shares already laid off to him in No. 6,
thus completing his full portion. At the request of the Widow
Stevenson, twenty-three and three-fifths acres in No. 6 were as-
signed her immediately west of Dr. B. L. Oliver's.

The proprietors thus endeavored to close up matters and
settle all accounts. But the hindrances seemed endless. There
were delays on account of bad weather, on account of sickness
and death, on account of mismeasurements of surveys and re-
surveys, of corrections of bounds, of valuations and apportion-

96 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

ments, of faults in the writings and legal impediments, on
account of trespassers and law suits and various errors of state-
ment and difficulties of settlement, and of failure to send plans.
After the business seemed on the very point of completion, some
new complication, some provoking interruption, caused a halt in
proceedings, and a readjustment was required, which postponed
complete and final settlement.

Having voted Dr. Walter first choice in the common lands
and fully paid all their obligations to him, the other proprietors
considered him no longer one of their number. He had been
their treasurer for several years, and now that he was to cease
connection with them it became necessary to appoint a new
treasurer to take charge of the treasurer's book, reckon with
the late treasurer, receive any funds which might remain in his
hands, and give receipt for the same.

Major Goold was chosen to this office. At the next meeting
of the ' ' Propriety ' ' he made written report as follows :

Boston 23, February 1798.
We the underwritten William Walter & Daniel Goold do
hereby certify that agreeable to the vote by the proprietors of
the common & undivided lands in Lyndeborough & Green-
field in the State of New Hampshire, at the meeting by adjourn-
ment held at said Lyndeborough on the 2nd. Wednesday in
October 1797, appointing Major Daniel Goold their Treasurer in
y^ room Rev. Dr. Wm. Walter, resigned ; and directing said
Goold to reckon and settle with said Walter the late treasurer.
That we have this day settled y*' accounts of s'' Walter with y*
proprietors afors** & there appeared a ballance due to s'' proprie-
tors of seven pounds & two pence, which ballance s*^ Walter
paid to s*^ Goold & took his receipt for the same in full of all de-
mands — /7-0-2 William Walter
Attest Harriot T. Walter. Daniel Goold
Voted that this report be accepted & recorded.

Among the transactions on record for the years 1 798 and 1 799
were the assigning of several portions of the common lands to
the persons named as follows : Timothy Hart.shorn, Elizabeth
Pearsons, Joseph Crosby, B. L. Oliver, Widow Stephenson,
Capt. Jonathan Peel, Nathan Read, Samuel Wells, Esq., Major
Daniel Goold, Joseph Peabody, Asa Howe, Stephen Goodhue,
Hon. Benjamin Goodhue, Esq., John Harwood, Phineas I^und,
Oliver Perham. Deeds were given to these by the clerk. Dr.

SALEM-CANADA 97

Russell accepted the twelve-acre lot adjoining Johnson's poor
land on the proposed conditions, and sold his right to Eliezer
Woodward in November, 1799. When, however, he presented
the plan of the town of old I^yndeborough with the several lay-
ings out of the commons by said " Propriety " since 1792, to be
examined by the proprietors, they found errors in it. Conse-
quently they voted to accept the plan ' ' when the errors were
rectified by said Esq. Fuller, — but not till then, &c. &c. &c."

Dr. Russell considered his part of the contract fulfilled, and
sold the land to Eliezer Woodward. He therefore petitioned
that the deed which was to be given him should be transferred
to Mr. Woodward ; which petition was granted, and an effectual
deed executed to said Woodward.

A method of paying debts was adopted. Accounts for service
rendered were presented and allowed by vote and duly paid.
Adjourned to the second Tuesday in May, 1800. Met, but
owing to absence of Major Goold, adjourned further to the second
Tuesday in June, 1800.

Met according to adjournment and voted that the deed be-
fore transferred from Dr. Russell to Eliezer Woodward, be
further transferred from Eliezer Woodward to James Ordway,
and that the clerk be directed ' ' to execute a good & effectual
deed to said Ordway."

Voted, that the clerk be and hereby is " impowered to call on
all who are indebted to the propriety to make immediate pay-
ment, as they will thereby avoid immediate prosecution."

Adjourned to the second Tuesday in October, at this place
(Major Goold's), at 9 o'clock A. M.

The proprietors met as above stated ; but as the clerk was
called to attend Superior Court, the meeting was further ad-
journed to the third Tuesday in October, at the same place and
hour.

Met the third Tuesday in October, 1800. Present, Amos
Whittemore, Jr., on right of Joseph Blaney, Esq., deceased,
moderator ; Rev. Sewall Goodridge, clerk, representing several
proprietors; Major Daniel Goold, Jacob Wellman, on Peabody's
right. After consultation it was agreed that, " whereas it is
necessary that the proprietors' accounts be brought to a close as
soon as may be, therefore, Voted, The Rev. Sewall Goodridge
& Mr. Jacob Wellman be a committee to reckon & settle with
Major Gould, Treasurer, & make report at next meeting."

Fully authorized by law, the proprietors then voted, "That

95 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

all & every of the votes & transactions of the propriety, in this
& all the foregoing meetings : be & they are hereby ratified and
confirmed." Adjourned to the second Tuesday of December
next, at this place, at 9 o'clock A. M.

The proprietors met the second Tuesday of December, 1800.
The committee chosen to reckon with the treasurer reported,
that "they had attended to that business & found that the
Treasurer had received Money & securities amounting to ^^74-
7-1 1 ; & had paid orders amounting to ^52-6-4 ; " & that there
was due from himself & others, responsible parties, sufficient to
balance the account." The report was accepted. Several ac-
counts for services were presented and accepted ; and at his re-
quest the remaineer of lot No. 6, was deeded to Mr. Amos
Whittemore, as his full share of two rights of common, on
Blaney's original right. The meeting was then adjourned to
the second Tuesday of September next, at this place, at 9
o'clock A. M.

The proprietors met the second Tuesday in September, 1801.
Voted that Jacob Wellman be impowered to sell a certain piece
of common land lying below Purgatory, so called, and voted,
that as there was an uncertainty respecting a piece of land said
to be common, in the northeast corner of the town adjoining
New Boston, Esquire Fuller be impowered to go and measure
the same. Adjourned to the 4th Tuesday of this September,
at this place at 9 o'clock A. M.

The fourth Tuesday of Sept. — Met as by adjournment.
Major Gould was chosen moderator pro tem. Esquire Fuller
reported that he had run the line of the lot on the Northeast
corner of Eyndeborough, adjoining New Boston, and that there
is left in common 94 rods in length and 25 rods in breadth, equal
to about 1473 acres. James Ordway showed his right by
assignment of Adam Johnson, to a piece of land and a deed of
the same was voted to him. Meeting adjourned to second
Tuesday of Sept., 1802.

Second Tuesday of Sept., 1802. Met as by adjournment.
Present, Amos Whittemore, moderator ; Major Gould, Sewall
Goodridge, clerk, and Jacob Wellman.

The meeting opened and Jacob Wellman reported that he
had sold a piece of land near Purgatory, so called, supposed to
contain 19 acres, to Mr. Josiah Dodge for $1.25 per acre. The
sale was confirmed and a deed voted. Rev. Sewall Goodridge
was impowered by vote, to sell a piece of land in the northeast

SALEM-CANADA 99

corner of Lyndeborough, near New Boston ; and Mr. Amos
Whittemore was impowcred to sell a piece in Greenfield and
make report ; and the clerk was directed to give a deed. Ad-
journed to the 4th Tuesday in October next, at 9 o'clock A. M.,
at Major Gould's.

The fourth Tuesday in October, 1802. Met as by adjourn-
ment. Mr. Amos Whittemore, moderator. Rev. Sewall Good-
ridge, clerk. Mr. Goodridge reported that "he had not sold
the land assigned him for want of a purchaser." Mr. Whitte-
more reported in the same words. Mr. Goodridge offered
twenty dollars for a certain piece of common land, described ;
and the same was sold to him, and the moderator was im-
powered to give a deed. Meeting adjourned to the fourth Tues-
day in April next, 1803, at 9 o'clock A. M., at the same place.

Fourth Tuesday in April, 1803. Met as by adjournment.
Mr. Amos Whittemore, moderator. Rev. Sewall Goodridge,
clerk, Major Gould, treasurer, and Mr. Jacob Wellman, present.
The vote of the last meeting to give deed of a certain piece of
land to Rev. Sewall Goodridge was annulled ; because it ap-
peared that a part of the same had been previously voted to
Mr. Solomon Cram. The meeting adjourned to the first Tues-
day in June next, &c.

The first Tuesday in June. Met according to adjournment.
Present, Major Gould, treasurer, Mr. Goodridge, clerk, and
Mr. Jacob Wellman, Voted, that Rev. Sewall Goodridge be
allowed and have 8 acres in the common land of No. 9, south
of land sold to Solomon Cram, at one dollar per acre, Mr. Amos
Whittemore, moderator, to give the deed. Adjourned to the
4th Tuesday of June, 1803.

The fourth Tuesday of June, 1803. The proprietors met as
by preceding vote, Mr. Amos Whittemore, moderator, absent.
Therefore adjourned to the first Tuesday in July, 1803.

The first Tuesday of July, 1803. The proprietors met ac-
cording to adjournment. Present, Mr. Amos Whittemore, Jr.,
moderator, Sewall Goodridge, clerk. Major Gould, treasurer,
and Mr. Jacob Wellman. The moderator reported that "he
had not sold the common land in Greenfield, but had a pros-
pect of selling the same very soon." Therefore, voted to ad-
journ to the first Tuesday in August, 1S03, to this place at 9
o'clock, A. M.

The first Tuesday in August, 1803. Met as by vote of pro-
prietors. After consultation, it was agreed to view the remain-

100 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

ing common land in No. 9. The moderator, Mr Amos Whitte-
more, Mr. Goodridge and Mr. Jacob Wellman offered them-
selves as a committee for said purpose, and immediately to pro-
ceed to business, which offer was accepted and they proceeded
accordingly. On returning, they reported that it was best to
have the same surveyed. Voted that Mr. Amos Whittemore,
Jr., survey the same and make report at next meeting. Voted
to adjourn to the last Tuesday of this inst. August, 1803, at 9
o'clock A. M.

The last Tuesday in August, 1803, the proprietors met ac-
cording to preceding vote. Present, Amos Whittemore, moder-
ator, S. Goodridge, clerk. Major Gould, treasurer, and Mr.
Jacob Wellman.

The meeting being opened, the following preamble and vote
were agreed to : "Whereas it is made plain to the proprietors
that the land in common remaining is not sufficient to pay the
debts of the propriety, therefore. Voted, that each creditor
take y*^ remaining land in proportion to y'' several as they see
fit, by paying other claimants &c., leaving a small piece of
common &c." "Voted to adjourn this meeting to the last
Tuesday in Sept. next, then to meet at this place, Nine o'clock
A. M. Sewall Goodridge, clerk."

Observations of Transcriber.

Having now finished transcribing and placing in a clearer light
a large portion of the old records of the proprietors of both
the Salem-Canada and Lyndeborough grants, the writer feels
prompted to add, that so far as records can indicate the charac-
ters of the early proprietors, their posterity and successors have
just cause for honoring their memory. They were men of
sterling qualities, liberal-minded, fair dealing, confronting grave
difficulties with courage and patience, forbearing toward lax
and delinquent associates, generous to the settlers upon town
lands, soliciting peaceful rather than litigious courses, but
reluctant to endure encroachments and recalcitrant toward in-
sidious, diplomatic robbery. Never is there a suspicion aroused
of their resorting to trickery or finesse. They endeavored to
act justly, to correcr errors, to atone for deficiencies, and honor-
ably to fulfil their agreements. Their thorough paced effi-
ciency and uprightness in business transactions enhances our
admiration for the founders of our town. They appear to have
been endowed with rugged honesty and genuine manliness.

SALEM-CANADA 101

Many of our early proprietors bore official titles, which was a
matter of importance in colonial days, even as now in Canada,
where people assume that only those eschew titles who are not
authorized to wear them. Among our people were some
colonels, some majors, several captains, lieutenants, ensigns ;
and one or two deacons. At least one was a Harvard graduate.
Chief Justice of the State of Massachusetts, and of most
honorable character and record. Commencing with such aus-
pices, it is the less surprising that our citizens have been, in
general, quiet, industrious, prosperous and patriotic, upright,
law-abiding, kind and generous. The town has been remarka-
bly free from vicious elements, and among the more intelligent
people of sister towns, holds an honored place for its genuine
worth.

CHAPTER V.
Physicai, Features.

I. Geology. — Having glanced at the settlement of lyynde-
borough it will now be in place to notice some of its physical
features. Its territory was indeed a broad and noble domain,
with marked variety of "hills and woods," "sweeping vales
and foaming floods," shaded nooks and sunbright knolls, well
adapted for the homes of stalwart and thrifty husbandmen.
Under the hand of careful cultivation, some of the finest fruits
of our temperate zone are now produced in luxurious abun-
dance upon its fertile soil.

Professor C. H. Hitchcock in his Geology of New Hamp-
shire writes of the Temple Mountain Range,' "The map shows
a line of elevations from Lyndeborough to New Ipswich, whose
similar topographical features suggest identity of geological
character. The L,yndeborough mountains rise abruptly from
the comparatively flat ground of New Boston and Francestown ;
and the rocks change as quickly as the elevation. Gneiss is
exchanged for mica schist." . . . Again in describing the
Hooksett range of quartz, he wrote of its disappearance in
New Boston and adjacent towns, and of its discovery again at
a "hill east of J. Haggett's in the east part of Lyndeborough."
" There is said to be a little quartz by a saw- mill a quarter of a
mile north of the natural place for the line of outcrop to cross
the stream, but the rock appears near E. N. Patch's. Irregu-
larities in direction are to be expected in Lyndeborough, since
the trend of the rock at Patch's if continued, would carry the
ledge a mile below its next outcrop, west of J. F. Holt's. It
continues south of west, and makes the hill near the glass
works at South Lyndeborough." . . . " The first railroad cut
west of the station barely touches this bed of quartz." . . .
" By the eye this range can be followed over the large hill east
of Burton pond, on the town line between Lyndeborough and

Wilton, "t

" Between the Pinnacle and Pack Monadnock mountains is a
deep valley, cut down by Stony Brook, and the place where the
railroad passes from Wilton to Greenfield. For two miles or

*Geol. Vol. II, p. 580. tOeol. II, pp. 540, 541.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 103

more, the mica schists are well exposed along the axis of the
mountain ranges."*

" On the west side of Badger pond the rock is like the Con-
cord granite, and is used extensively in the neighborhood for
underpining. The dips about Lyndeborough centre are high
to the northwest. It has a similar character two miles to the
southwest, near S. S. Cumming's. A hard granitic gneiss oc-
cupies the country in the valley of Stony brook for about two
miles west of South Lyndeborough. The range runs through
the northwest part of Wilton to Temple. "t

" Fig. 90," facing p. 545, " illustrates the rocks from South
Lyndeborough to the west part of Milford, through East
Wilton. "+ . . . " In the south edge of the village, follow-
ing the carriage road instead of the railroad, the next interest-
ing rock is a granite like the Concord in general appearance,
but full of small, distinct crystals of feldspar."

Again after referring to the phenomena of potholes at Man-
chester on the Merrimack, one of which was 12 feet in diameter
and 25 deep, he continues, " The ' Purgatory,' on the line of
lyyndeboro and Mont Vernon, shows other potholes. The
stream — 10 feet wide — winds spirally through a narrow chasm,
and then falls 15 or 20 feet into a large pool. Both the spiral
course and the pool are to be classed with potholes, and there
are several small examples above the main cataract. A cave
below is thought to have originated from ordinary disintegra-
tion through freezing. "§

The formation known as Glacial Drift is described as follows :
" The ice accumulated in the St. Lawrence valley so as to flow
over New England, possibly preceded by a southwest current.
The whole country would have been covered by a sheet of ice,
thousands of feet in thickness — probably 7,000 or 8,000 feet in
the lower part of the state, — flowing southeast towards the
ocean. This was the period of the formation of the lower till,
and of the great terminal moraines of lower New England."!

The lenticular hills of the Glacial Drift form an interesting
subject of study, and parts of Lyndeborough, as well as that
section of Wilton detached from Salem-Canada, furnish fine
examples of these formations. In the eastern part of Green-
field also, "the}' are finely developed. Two miles northeast of
Russell's crossing, till lies in rounded masses on the northwest
slope of Lyndeborough mountain. It also forms a smooth

•Geol. II, p. 580 tGeol. II, p. 551, |Id., p. 546. ||Geol. Ill, p. 250. J Vol. Ill, p. 337, a.

104 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUCH

area of several acres near its southwest summit, and is spread
in extensive sheets on its southeast side."* . . . They occur
also " upon Perham hill, in the northeast corner of Wilton ; "
again " a mile to the northwest in the edge of Lyndeborough."
and at North I^yndeborough.

" A railroad cut in South L,yndeborough, two miles west of
the station exhibits three layers in the till. The top is the
familiar loose ferruginous earth, such as universally covers the
ground-moraine. Next, ^ is a good example of the lower till,
full of glaciated pebbles, porphyritic and granitic gneisses,
mica schist, etc., 5 feet, and in one case six feet long. The
laminated appearance arising from compression is clearly de-
fined. Beneath this is a coarser mass, reaching to the bottom
of the cut, so very compact that a pick had no effect when
struck into it by the workmen ; only gunpowder or a stronger
explosive could excavate it, and it was necessary that the holes
should be bored horizontally near the surface to become effec-
tual in removing the earth."!

Finally, our author wrote :

" In Lj'ndeborough there is an establishment fitted up for
the manufacture of glass based upon the presence of one of the
beds of quartz," already mentioned, as so common in the south-
ern counties of the state. "Although milky -white, the quartz
contains a small percentage of iron and is therefore apt to impart
a green color . . . to the vessels manufactured from it. + There-
fore it is best to eliminate the iron as completely as possible, so
as to secure a better qualitj^ of glass. The rock is put into a
kiln and burnt, just as if it were limestone being converted
into lime. The rock becomes friable, so that it can be readily
crushed and pulverized, and the iron is converted into the
magnetic oxid. After pulverization, the quartz-flour is made to
fall in a stream over magnets set like bristles on the surface of
cylinders. The magnets instantly attract the iron sand, which
is thus perfectly removed from the quartz by several repetitions
of the process of falling over the revolving cj^linder. Had not
the fire removed the water and a portion of the oxygen from
the iron ore, the magnets could not purify the quartz . . . which
is now read}' to be put into crucibles. A very large business is
done at L,yndeborough."§

Alas! this last statement, true when published in 1878, re-

*ni, p. 297. tOeol. in, p. 283, IHustration. t See Vol. I, p. 509.

§ Geol. I, p. 509 aad III, Fart V, p. 89, combined.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 105

mains so no longer. The glass-factory is a thing of the past,
and the flourishing business once done here, is now a reminis-
cence. Traces and traditions of it still remain as one of the
branches of manufacture which gave our town more than a
local reputation, furnished employment to many hands, made
money more plenty, and nearly all other industries of the popu-
lation more thriving.

2. Mineralogy .* Minerals. — It has been written that the world
might be said to be built upon crystal foundations because
quartz comprises one-half or more of the mineral formation of
the globe. It might be said truly of Lyndeborough, for a quartz
ledge, or chain of quartz ledges having a N. E. trend extends
through the town. Many of them, the lyucas, Gilmore, Putnam,
and Hartshorn ledges, have been worked to a greater or lesser
extent. Quartz and granite (the latter composed of quartz,
feldspar and mica) predominate among the minerals of our
town. I have found the following list, some of course very
sparingly :

Actinolite

Jasper rock

Albite (soda feldspar)

Mica

Arsenopyrite, mispickel, arseni-

" muscovite

cal irou pyrites

" biotite

Bog iron ore

" schist

Cairngorm stone

Petrified wood

Clay

Quartz

Copper (just a trace)

" aventurine

Dendrite

" drusy

Feldspar, several var.

" ferruginous

Garnet

" false topaz

Gneiss

*' granular

Granite

" milky

" porphyritic

' ' rose

" hornblendic

" rock cristal

" garnetiferous

" smoky

" albitic

Selenite

" black micaseous

Syenite

" graphic

Talcose schist (named for me

Granulite

by Professor Dana of Yale)

Graphite, plumbago, black lead

Tourmaline, black

Hornblende

Tremolite

Iron pyrites

Water

Black tourmaline, rose quartz and tremolite are found on Pinnacle
Mt. A peculiarly soft, argillaceous slate containing granular quartz i»
found on land of J. A. Johnson.

*Mineralog-y furnished by Mrs. E. A. Putnam.

106 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Topography.

BY J. A. WOODWARD.

The original township of Salem Canada was a tract of land
six miles square, situated near the centre of Hillsboro County,
New Hampshire. It contained 23,040 acres of land with 1018
acres allowed for water (which was probably largely in excess
of what there really was). It was neither a square nor a rect-
angle. Rev. Mr. Clark says, "it was nearly square with the ex-
ception of a corner missing toward Boystown or New Boston.
The south-east corner was a little north of the Dea. Bartlett
place on the road to Milford. The south line running from that
point west, passed back of the Congregational Church, Wilton,
crossed the Forest road near Mr. L,evi Putnam's mill, running
past the old north burying ground, Wilton, and a little to the
south of the old county farm, to a point south west and near the
Benjamin Whiting house in Temple, about half a mile from the
old County farm."*

The west line extended north to within a short distance of
Greenfield village. The north line extended north of the Pin-
nacle to the New Boston line. Afterward the land added to the
township to make up for what was taken to help form Wilton
or No. 2, made the west line extend nearly to Driscoll Hill,
Francestown. The north line ran from that point near where
the Nehemiah Epps blacksmith shop stands, to the New Boston
line. The "History of Francestown" throws no light on
the question of where this north line was ; nor does it give the
size or shape of the tract of land called Lyndeborough Addition.
But from the fact that the petitioners asking to be allowed to
join Francestown lived on Driscoll Hill and vicinity, and as
the map of Society land, published in 1753, gives a straight line
running east from this hill three and one-half miles as the north
line of Salem-Canada, it would seem that the above description
must be true.

This township of Salem-Cauada was emphatically a land of
mountains, hills and valleys, and figuratively speaking, there
were few places in it where a wagon would stand without "trig-
ging the wheels." It was a well watered, attractive country,
sightly and healthful.

The shape of the Lyndeborough of to-day bears little resem-
blance to that of Salem-Canada, owing to the inroads which

*Rev. F. G. Clark., Salem-Canada-Lyndeboro', p, i8.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 107

other towns have made on its territory. It is bounded on the
west by Temple and Greenfield, on the north by PVancestown,
on the east by New Boston and Mont Vernon and on the south
by Milford and Wilton. Its boundary lines are very irregular,
and have many angles and corners.

It was undoubtedly very heavily timbered originally, with
pine and spruce and hemlock, with hard wood ridges covered
with forests of oak, maple, beech, birch, ash, &c. It is said
that the balsam fir was never plentiful in Lyndeborough, There
is very little of what is called " pine plain " land in Lynde-
borough, that section in North Lyndeborough east and north of
John H. Goodrich's being the only land of that kind in town.
The old stump fences in that vicinity show what the original
growth was there.

The land, as New England land goes, was and is fertile and
strong, and the farms compare very favorably with any of those
of the hill towns of New Hampshire. The early settlers evi-
dently could not tell just what land could be most easily brought
into an arable condition, owing to its covering of leaves and
humus, and sometimes the burnings revealed the fact that they
had located on stony ground, and they soon removed to more
favorable localities. This partly accounts for the many cellar
holes in town.

While the highest elevations of land in town are generally
known as the Lyndeborough Mountains, there are four distinct
peaks, viz.: Pinnacle, Rose, Winn and Piscataquog. They are
all of the Pack Monadnock range. Rose Mountain was named
after Abram Rose, who first settled on its eastern slope. Winn
Mountain was named for persons owning land on its summit, and
it is unknown who gave the name Pinnacle to the second high-
est elevation. Nearly every hill has a name handed down from
early times.

3. Elevatio7is. — Rose Mountain, 1710; Pinnacle, 1680; Winn
Mountain, 1075; Piscataquog Mountain, 1262 (commonly,
called Scataquog) ; Stephenson's Hill, 985 ; elevation back of No.
9 schoolhouse, 1407 ; Lyndeborough Centre, 880; South Lynde-
borough, 649; Badger Pond, 800; Burton Pond, 840; Hadley's
Hill, 132 1 ; Bradley Tay's house, 1280; hill back of the Dol-
liver place, 1271 ; summit of new road, iioo; Buttrick's mills,
787; road from the Wilder place to D. B. Whittemore's, 800
to 900 ; road from the Ryerson place to No. 5 schoolhouse, 800

108 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUCH

to 950 ; Putnam Hill, 800; roads in Johnson's Corner, 700 to
800.

From a point on the summit of Hadley's Hill (1321) may be
seen the following mountains. Looking from east to west they
are nearly in the order named : Joe English, "Uncanoonucs, Paw-
tuckaway, Saddle-back, Nuts Mt., Nottingham Mt., Fort Mt.,
McCoy's Mt., Brush Hill, Catamount, Straight-back, Belknap
Mt., Ossipee Mts., Mt, Chocorua, Mt. Paugus, Mt. Passacona-
way, Mt. Whiteface, Tripyramid, Mt. Washington, Sandwich
Dome, Mt. Israel, Pemigewasset Mt., Profile Mt., Mt. Stin.son,
Moosilauke Mt., Mt. Carr, Mt. Kearsarge (Warner) Stewart's
Peak, Sunapee Mts., Lovetts Mt., Croydon Mt., Crotchet Mt.
and Knight's Hill. The view of the Grand Monadnock is hid-
hen by the Pinnacle from this place, but otherwise the view-
point is rather better than the Pinnacle, although the latter
is the higher elevation.

As a rule the north sides of our mountains and hills are slop-
ing, with an easy grade, while the south sides are more or less
abrupt and in some places precipitous. Geologists explain this
as the action of glaciers during the ice period. And speaking
of the ice period, there are several so-called kettle-holes in
town. They are circular depressions in the ground, of varying
size, with a well defined ridge, or lip. These are said to have
been caused by masses of ice broken from glaciers and left
stranded, and partially covered with earth and stones. When
the ice melted, the result was these curious formations. There
is a very well defined one on land of David G. Dickey, near
where the writer lives. The trend of the mountain range in
lyyndeborough is slightly circular from Piscataquog to Winn
Mt., the direction being toward the southwest, with Peterbor-
ough, or North Pack Monadnock, next to Winn, It wall be
seen that the elevation of the ' ' middle of the town ' ' is about
the same as that of the road at D. B, Whittemore's place,
and that leaving out of consideration the highest mountain
land, the average altitude of the town is about 800 feet.

The southeastern end of Lyndeborough mountain proper
may be said to be near the old Micah Hartshorn place, later
owned hy the late Eliphalet J. Hardy. From this there is a
gradual rise to the summit of Piscataquog Mt., with a very
abrupt descent on the easterly side, which at a point east of the
highest elevation known as the " Ledges," becomes precipitous.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 109

The elevations are taken from Peterboro Quadrangle of the
U. S. Topographic Map, edition of June, 1900.

Lyndeborough is exclusively a farming town, and there are
but two villages within its limits. South Lyndeborough is the
largest and most closely built, the village at the "Centre"
being composed mostly of farm houses with considerable inter-
vals between each. These farmhouses, with the church, town
house and parsonage compose the village.

The water-shed of the town to the south is into the Souhegan
River and thence to the Merrimack, and to the north into the
Piscataquog River.*

Ivyndeborough abounds in stones of all shapes and sizes, from
immense boulders to tiny pebbles, and the early settlers found
no difficulty in getting material to fence their land. An out-
cropping of white quartz extends the width of the town from a
point near where Emery Holt lives to the Temple line. No
mines of metals, precious or otherwise, have ever been dis-
covered within the limits of the town, though mining for them
has been carried on, as related in another chapter.

Ponds and Streams of LtYNdeborough.

by j, a. woodward.
It would be interesting to compare the brooks of Lynde-
borough, as they are in these later days, with the same streams
as they were when the town was covered with the primeval
forest, as they were when the first settlers came to Salem Canada.
"While the annual rainfall is probably about the same now as
then, notwithstanding the alarming assertions of the "For-
estry Commission," the flow of water is not as even as in those
early days. The shade of the forest, the leaves and moss and
humus on top of the soil, served to retain the moisture, and
yield it in a gradual flow through the season. The clearing
away of the forest, the conversion of the hillsides into open
pastures, has resulted in quick drainage and sudden and violent
freshets. The channels or water courses of many of our
brooks are growing larger year by year and more boulders are
exposed. Button Brook and the upper part of Cold Brook
show this wearing-away process more than the others. Another
resirlt of the cutting away of the forests is the drying up of

*I think we tnay freely write the name of this river, although it touches but spar-
ingly our town. It has been immortalized by our Quaker poet in his "Bashaba's Feast,"
which was graced by

"Cranberries picked in the Squamscot bog,

And grapes from the vines of Piscataquog." — D.

110 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

the brooks in summer. It is probable that in the early days
these brooks were never dry, and many small brooks were noted
for trout forty or fifty years ago where no fish have existed for
years, owing to the midsummer drouths. The stories and
traditions that have come down to us of the privations and ex-
posure of the early settlers seem to indicate that the snowfall
was much greater then than it is now, but the probabilities are
that the spring freshets were not as violent, and the rise and
fall of our brooks were not as sudden as at present. While
Lyndeborough has few attractions in the way of ponds and
lakes, it is greatly favored in the number and beauty of its
mountain brooks.

BADGER POND.

Badger Pond is a small sheet of water situated just north of
the village at the centre. It was named for David and Robert
Badger, who settled near its northern shore. It would require
a stretch of the imagination to call it a lovely body of water.
Its area is about seventeen acres, but it has been curtailed on
the north and west shore by water brush and a growth of reeds
and rushes until it is somewhat smaller. Its waters are shallow,
nowhere much exceeding five feet in depth with a bottom of
unfathomable mud. No one has yet been able to find solid
bottom a short distance from the shore. It has been the favor-
ite abode of the muskrat and water snake. Numbers of these
last repulsive looking reptiles might be seen, sunning them-
selves on the hassocks about its edge, a few years ago, but
they are about exterminated now and arc seldom seen. The
muskrat used to build its dome-shaped nest around its shores,
and not many years ago as many as a dozen might be seen
rising above the ice in winter, like small haycocks, but bitter
experience with the trappers who broke open the tops of the
nests and set traps therein, taught these cunning animals
wisdom and, although they still frequent the pond, they build
their winter homes in burrows under its banks, and a muskrat's
house has not been seen there for some years.

This pond was doubtless a stopping place for the Indians when
they roamed these mountains and valleys. Whether they had
a village near its shores \\\\\ probably never be ascertained,
but in 1863 one of the residents in the vicinity, while digging
mud near its east shore, unearthed four Indian gouges made of
stone. They lay near a small spring and were buried about
eighteen inches in the mud. They arc made of a kind of

.>:i^^m.l''^\

PHYSICAL FEATURES 111

Stone not found in Lyndeborough. One of them is in the posses-
sion of one of the citizens of the town. This same resident
also dug up from the sand knoll west of the pond the bones of
an Indian skeleton. He supposed he had encroached on the
forgotten grave of some white man, and hastily reinterred the
bones, but later learned that Samuel Jones and his son, Clark
B., dug up the skeletons of two Indians at the same locality a
few years previously — one of which was presented to Frances-
town Academy — which would indicate that the Indians had a
permanent abiding place in the vicinity. Badger Pond is the
favorite resort of the fishermen after pickerel, and is noted for
the great number and small size of the catch. It is thought by
some that the meadows which extend for a long distance below
the pond were once a part of it. It is fed by two small brooks
coming in from the north and by numerous springs.

Jonathan Barron was drowned while attempting to cross on
the ice one Thanksgiving day. He was a young man living
where F. B. Tay now lives, and started to attend service at
the church at the Centre. He took the short cut across the
pond, but the ice was not strong enough to bear his weight.

BURTON POND.

While Burton Pond is not what is termed a natural pond it
is deserving of mention in this history. Most people would
never mistrust from a casual examination that it was any other
than a pond formed by nature, but hidden away in the woods
surrounding it, is the dam built in 1837 by Mr. Otis Smith,
which created this body of water. Sewell and Eliphalet Put-
nam acquired the right of flowage and had the dam built to
form a reservoir of water to run a bobbin-shop in Wilton.
They purchased the flowage rights of Dexter Burton, Isaac
Giddings, Ephraim Putnam, and perhaps others.

This body of water, now known as Burton Pond, is situated
in the southwest part of the town. It can by no means be
called a pretty sheet of water, and yet from some parts of it a
beautiful view of the mountains to the west may be obtained.
The land flowed was heavily covered with forest growth and as
much of this was cut after the pond was formed, it is pretty
thoroughly dotted with stumps, and navigation is uncertain.
The fisherman finds his scow hard and fast on a submerged
snag, and further progress stopped until he can work off. It
is also a repository of lost fishing tackle. In shape it is very
irregular, in fact, it is almost all coves. While pickerel abound

112 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

the toothsome but homely horn-pout is its principal product.
Its muddy bottom yields hundreds annually. Raccoons and
mink abound about its shores, and its roots and snags are the
favorite sunning places for the tortoise. The writer once
found a pretty wild-flower growing in a hollow of a stump
away in the middle of the pond, and speculated much how the
seed got there. The pond is said now to be the private property
of Dr. Frye of Wilton and many of the stumps were removed
during the winter of 1903-4.

COLD BROOK.

Cold Brook has its source in springs on the mountain west of
Robt. C. Mason's house. It flows down the mountain in a
northeasterly direction until it reaches the Whittemore meadow,
where it makes an abrupt turn to the east. At the foot of this
meadow it is joined by the waters of a small brook that rises
south of the Wilson place. Its course is then almost due east,
and with comparatively little fall until it crosses the new
road, so called. It has by this time become a pretty good
sized stream, and its bed is strewn with immense boulders
as it plunges down the steep mountain side, until it
emerges into the meadows in New Boston. It enters the Pis-
cataquog River a short distance above Paper Mill Village. Its
whole length is about three and one-half miles. About sixty
rods below where it crosses the new road it plunges through a
steep ravine, over ledges, now a pool, now a cascade, forming a
scene as wild and grand and withal as beautiful as can be found
in southern New Hampshire. Standing at the foot of this ra-
vine and looking up, one can see for nearly twenty rods a series
of tumbling cascades, mossy ledges and overhanging boulders.
This charming place is little known and seldom visited except
by trout fishermen, but will amply repay anyone who will take
the trouble to find it. It can be most easily reached from the
road at C. H. Senter's house.

Capt. Peter Clark built a saw-mill on this brook back of the
house where Henry Holden lives. Traces of the old dam may
still be seen. He records in his " Diary " that he " began to
saw at my mill March 15, 1775." Considering that he set out
for Lyndeborough Jan. 23, 1775, arriving the 25th of that
month, he must have labored diligently through the winter. He
built his house near this mill, sawing the lumber for the same at
the mill. About the year 1835 Ebenezer Flint built a peg-mill

PHYSICAL FEATURES 113

on this brook also. It was located near where the new road
crosses the brook.

FRENCH OR DUTTON BROOK

Has its source in springs on the old Woodward or French place
on the north side of the mountain. It is a small brook, and
runs in a northerly direction until it reaches the Woodward
meadows in Francestown, when it turns to the east and flows
into Cressy River, or Rand Brook as it is called by some. It is
a turbulent stream during high water, as its course is almost
directly down the mountain side. Its length is about a mile
and a half, and there was never any mill on its banks.

SCHOOL HOUSE BROOK

Rises on the north side of the mountain and not more than
twenty rods from the source of the Button Brook. They have
both been famous trout streams. It flows north through the in-
tervale land south of No. 8 schoolhouse, and thence down
the mountain side, joining the Button Brook just before it enters
Cressy River. On the bank of this brook is a large boulder of
steatite, or soapstone, of the finest quality. It was found by
Baniel Woodward, Sr., in 1835, and since then it has caused
much speculation as to how it came there, and much searching
for a quarr}^ of the stone, supposed to be in the vicinity. The
land where it lies is now owned by Willis J. Stephenson.

BEASOM BROOK

Is a small brook which rises on the mountain southwest of the
Bolliver place and flows into the river a little way below But-
trick's mill. It is a very crooked stream, but its general course
is a little north of east.

THE RIVER.
The stream commonly known as the ' ' River ' ' has its source
in the swamps west of the Fletcher place in Greenfield. Its
upper part is known by several names, and there is a tradition
that it was called as a whole, " Bear Brook " in the early days ;
but now that part of it in Lyndeborough is generally spoken of
as the River — probably for the reason that it is the largest
stream of water in town. At first its course is generally south-
west and it is but a small brook, but in the meadows east of
Russell's Station it runs due west for some distance. In this
meadow it receives the waters of Buncklee Brook, and there is
a very noticeable increase in the volume of water from this on.

114 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Just below this meadow it bends to the south and maintains that
direction until it leaves Lyndeborough and becomes "Stony
Brook" of Wilton. After passing through the intervale land
near the Jacob Butler place it receives the waters of Frye Brook
from Peterborough mountain, and when it enters Lyndeborough
has become a considerable stream. It bends sharply to the east
soon after passing the town line, but soon returns to its south-
erly course. A short distance below where it passes under the
railroad bridge, are the remains of a dam* and some of the tim-
bers of the penstock where once stood a mill, the first on the
stream. Who first built there is to the writer unknowm. Only
a little way below this mill site is where the Stephensont saw
mill stood for many years, but nothing except some of the stone
work of the dam remains at this time. From this on the river is
a succession of dark pools, about immense boulders with but
little fall until the site of the mill best known, perhaps, as But-
tricks, now owned by Mr. Colburn, is reached. It is said that
Joshua Sargent once had a fulling mill here. Not far below
Buttrick's mill this stream receives the waters of Beasom Brook,
ind thence to South Lyndeborough its course is through a
deep, rocky ravine. Its next interruption is the mill site and
dam of the Hadley Bros, mill, where Levi Tyler first built. It
is said there used to be a mill west or southwest of the village,
and another grist mill just before the Wilton line is reached.
This stream flows into the Souhegan River at Wilton and is its
principal branch.

MILI. OR FURNACE BROOK

Two small brooks from the south side of the mountain, unite
in the meadows south of B. G. Herrick's place to form Mill
Brook. The easterly one is known as the Poor Farm Brook,
and the one to the west as the Herrick Brook. They are small
streams, but ever since farmers' boys tied a string to an alder
pole, and on days when it rained so hard they could not shell
corn in the chamber, went forth with a box of fish worms,
these two brooks have been their Mecca. At the foot of the
above-mentioned meadow used to stand a saw-mill said to have
been built by a Mr. Hildreth, afterw^ard owned by Jonathan
Stephenson. I It is gone now but the dam remains to confine
the water as a reservoir for the mill, which has been built below
the road. This mill is owned by Willis J. Stephenson.

* Built by Jouatlian Butler. t First built by John Stephenson and Jotham Hildreth.
t Built by Jotham Hildreth, Sr.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 115

Just below this mill is Andy Holt's shingle mill, and in this
vicinity, probably between the two, was built the first corn or
grist mill to be erected in town. It must have been an im-
portant place to the early settlers of the town. This brook
possesses more historical interest perhaps than any other in
town, from the fact that the first saw-mill and the first grist-
mill to be erected were on its banks. From the Holt mill
its course is almost due east through the Stephenson and
Boutwell meadows, under the old stone bridge on the road
from South Lyndeborough to the Centre, through the wood
lot known as the ' ' Promised L,and ' ' to the I^ucas meadows,
where it bends to the southwest. Below here is the saw-mill
now owned by E. H. Putnam and a little below that is the
" stone mill," so called, where for a number of years the quartz
rock was ground and prepared for use in the glass factory.
This mill is also owned by E. H. Putnam. It was in this sec-
tion of the stream that the first saw-mill was built, but its exact
location is to the writer unknown. It is said that an iron
furnace or foundry was located near here, where kettles and
various useful articles were moulded, and from which the brook
got one of its names. t After passing under the railroad the
stream soon enters the " River " or " Stony " Brook.

DUNCKI.EE BROOK

Has its source in swamps on the mountains northwest of the
Pinnacle House. It flows down the steep mountain side in a
series of pools and cascades until it reaches the meadows in
Greenfield. Its general direction is northwesterly and its waters
are peculiarly clear and limpid. It flows into the " River " east
of Russell's Station and was once a noted trout stream.

BRANDY BROOK

Is a small stream, often dry in summer, which has its source
northwest of Ethan Woodward's place. It gets its name from
the amber hue of its water. It enters the river near Hadley
Brothers' mill.

TRAIL BROOK.

Mr. E. C. Curtis says this stream was called "Winners"
Brook in the early days. That name is probably a corruption
of "Wainwood," by which name this brook, after it joined
Purgatory or Halfway Brook, was referred to in the early
records of Salem Canada. It was known as "Trail" Brook

t Owned and operated by Henry and James Cram.

116 HISrOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

from the fact that the first path or trail from Narragansett No.
3, or Amherst, into Salem Canada followed its course for a long
distance. It has its source in Badger Pond and is at first a
shallow, sluggish stream. It flows easterly through meadows
which were undoubtedly beaver ponds at one time, but it soon
turns to the south and thence its course is southeastward until
it enters Milford. Just east of the old Rand place there are the
ruins of a dam, where Nehemiah Rand built a saw-mill, proba-
bly in 1777, one of the first erected in town, but long since
gone. It was in the vicinity of this mill that many thought
the central village would be located. Near where this brook
crosses the road to "Johnson's Corner " it is said once stood a
grist mill, but little if any trace of it can now be found. A
short distance below this is the saw-mill built or removed to this
place by Micah Hartshorn, now owned by E. J. Hardy.

Next is the site of a saw-mill owned by E. C. Curtis and
in operation until a comparatively recent time. The stream
crosses the road from Johnson's Corner to Wilton and near
here Eli Curtis, father of E. C. Curtis, had a mill which he
operated many years. Mr. E. C. Curtis is authority for the
statement that below this was once a grist mill, the first built in
that section of the town, and that some of the old timbers may
still be seen. Still farther down this stream, almost to the
Milford line, is the saw-mill owned by the Howards of Milford.
This brook joins Purgatory Brook and ultimately flows into the
Souhegan River. It is eminently a "trapper's" brook, its
many sluggish pools making it the congenial home of the
mink, the muskrat and the otter. Only two mills remain on its
entire length but it has probably furnished power to saw more
lumber than any other brook in town.

There are many other small brooks and water-courses in
town, most of them dry in midsummer. One that has its
source near H. H. Joslin's place and crosses the roads north of
the Foster Woodward place, flows through Mrs. Sargent's and
the Stephensons' meadows and enters Mill Brook at Andy Holt's
mill. Another has its source south of the schoolhouse at North
Ivyndeborough and flows easterly, crossing the turnpike and
entering New Boston and the Piscataquog River. Another,
sometimes called Silver Mine Brook, skirts the base of Scata-
quog mountain on the east side, and flowing northerly enters
Cold Brook at the head of Senter's meadow. Purgatory Brook
is also for a short distance within the limits of the town.

PHYSICAL FEATURES 117

The Fauna.

The flora has been prepared with painstaking diligence by
Mrs. E. A. Putnam. The fauna and its incidents of adventure
are submitted with much difl&dence by a less skilful hand.

Wild animals, as all are aware, were numerous in the earlj^
days of our town. The moose, though less common than the
deer, was not a great stranger to our territory. The bear, the
wolf, the beaver, the sable had their dwelling places on our hills
and along our streams. There is a tradition that when one of
the pioneers, whose name now escapes memory, was plowing
with his oxen a moose came out of the neighboring forest and
frightened his oxen. In an attempt to scare the wild creature
away, it rushed at him, threw him down, and with its forward
feet punched at him to crush his head. It, however, missed its
aim, and sunk its sharp hoofs into the ground on each side, and
went away, leaving him but little injured.

Captain Wellman had an adventure in bear hunting similar
to that which has been reported of Israel Putnam of Revolution-
ary fame. He killed the animal in his den when he could see
little more than the glare of its eyes. He afterwards went into
the den and fastened a rope around him, but needed assistance
to draw him out.

Captain Wellman lived at Johnson's Corner, on the place now
occupied by Mr. Frank Carson. He had two sons, Jacob and
John, respectively, ten and eight years of age. About the year
1758, the boys were left alone by their parents one day. The
gun hung in its accustomed place, and they were warned not to
use it, for it was heavily loaded for a bear. They were also
ordered not to leave the house for fear the bears might catch
them. But no sooner were the parents out of sight than the
boys took down the gun and started off into the woods. When
about a half a mile from home they met a huge bear, which
stood up before them. Jacob rested the gun on John's shoulder
and fired, and shot the bear dead. The boys then went home.
When the parents returned they soon learned what had hap-
pened, and with the assistance of neighbors the bear was
brought home.

We may suppose that the father was so glad that his children
were unharmed and had made such an excellent shot that he
did not insist on trouncing them as they deserved for their
disobedience.

118 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

One season, it is said, the bears made sad havoc of the corn
fields in Johnson's Corner. The people had tried to hunt and
trap them but without success. At their wits' end, they sought
assistance from Osgood Carleton, who had just returned from
one of his surveying trips, and whom they knew as a skilful
trapper and hunter. He tried his hand at setting a gun-trap,
and spent the night at Mr. Carson's, on what is now known as
the Kilburn Curtis place. In the gray dawn of the next morn-
ing the old Scotch housekeeper called out, ' ' Osga, your gun
gaed off ! " " Stopping only for his pants, — barefoot — he re-
paired to the scene. It was not yet light. He could see no
bear. He jumped from the fence on what seemed to be a black
log, and landed plumb on the dead bear." Major Proctor, the
narrator of this incident, thought the surprise had been mutual
had bruin been alive. The beast had thriven on the corn, and
is said to have tipped the beam at more than four hundred
pounds.

It is also told that a man living where Harry Richardson now
lives, had a big, shaggy dog which one day started a wildcat.
The man had his gun. The wildcat seized the dog and gave
him a furious shaking. But the man shot the cat, which proved
to be a very large one.

There is a well attested tradition that on Woodward Hill, in
the western part of the town, was a farm which produced a large
quantity of hay that the owner was accustomed to feed out on
the place to his sheep and young cattle. It was easier to dis-
pose of it thus, than to haul it away to be fed out elsewhere.
His two sons, who were large boys, were sent there to take care
of the animals in the winter. These boys were frequently
aroused in the night by the howling of the wolves which came
near to seek their prey. Sometimes the boys would go out in
the night to protect their flock and drive the wild beasts away.

Mr. IvUther Cram, who occupies the old homestead, states
that once when wolves were howling around his grandfather's
buildings, his father was directed to take the gun and go out
and discharge it to frighten them away. He did so, and saw
several of the pack bounding off over the hill above the house.

Bears and wolves have entirely disappeared from our town.
So have also the moose, which probably never were numerous.
For a few years past, however, many deer have been seen, and
seem to be on the increase. Some specimens of the Canadian
lynx or wildcat are occasionally seen, and Mr. Samuel Dolliver

PHYSICAL FEATURES 119

has succeeded in shooting one or two within a few years. An
otter was trapped in the eastern part of the town last fall by Mr.
Roy Burton. Red foxes are frequently caught. Rabbits
abound. Squirrels, red, gray and striped are hunted. The
hedgehog, woodchuck, weasel, skunk, rat, mouse, mole and bat
are among the inferior creatures which infest our borders.
Beaver and sable, common in early days, are unknown, but
the raccoon, mink and muskrat inhabit our territory now.

It is narrated ' ' that when Andrew Harwood was a boy he
used to bait wild turkeys with corn on what was called Carkin
Hill. He fixed a place for them to put their heads through to
get the corn so that they would be in a straight row. A flock
came, and while eating he fired from his ambush and killed
eight of them at a single shot."*

Partridges are often abundant. But they are said to be un-
lawfully snared at '.times ; and are surely killed in the game
season in such numbers as to diminish the abundance. Water-
fowl visit us but in passing. Our ponds are too small to afford
them seclusion and safety. Heron have, however, been with
us a few seasons, and are believed to have reared their j^oung
beside a neighboring fen.

The valleys of the Souhegan and its tributaries are the
pleasant haunts of many varieties of the feathered tribes. To
name these might afford something more than holiday diversion
to even an ornithologist, which the writer is not. Only the
common names, therefore, of well-known birds may be ex-
pected. The crow, the owl, the hawk, blue-jay, robin, wood-
pecker, yellow-hammer, lark, brown thrush, catbird, bobolink,
oriole, finches, sparrows, barn swallows, chimney swallows or
swifts, quails, pigeons, whip-poor-wills, nighthawks, warblers,
flycatchers, blackbirds, blue birds, tanagers, grossbeaks, chick-
adees, wrens, humming birds ; these and the varieties ranged
under some of the foregoing terms will impress upon us the
idea that our feathered guests are very numerous and of grave
as well as gay and even gorgeous plumage.

An expert fisherman informs me that our fish are limited to
speckled trout, pickerel, horned pout, sunfish, minnows and
eels.

The reptiles are those common to neighboring towns ; and
consist of the tortoise, toad, snake — the green, striped, black,
mottled snake or adder, and water snake — small lizards, snails,

*Johii Carleton's letter.

120

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

centipedes, &c., are also found here and there, but are neither
very numerous nor venomous.

Such are the principal creatures which have found either
temporary or permanent abodes upon our soil.

THE FLORA OF I^YNDEBOROUGH

The following paper was contributed by Mrs. Kliza A.
Putnam in response to a request for a description of the flora
of L,yndeborough. The paper is itself an evidence of her in-
dustry and interest in the subject to which she has so kindly
contributed.*

CROWFOOT FAMILY

Common wild clematis ; virgin's-bower;

traveler's joy.
Wind-flower

Wind-flower ; wood anemone
Round-lobed hepatica ; liver leaf
Tall meadow-rue
Bulbous crowfoot ; buttercups
Tall crowfoot or buttercups
Early crowfoot ; buttercups
Marsh marigold
Gold-thread
Wild columbine
White baneberry

BARBERRY FAMILY

Common barberry
WATER-LILY FAMILY
Water-shield
Sweet-scented water-lily
Common yellow pond-lily

PiTCHER-PLANT FAMILY

Side-saddle flower ; pitcher plant ,
huntsman's cap

POPPY FAMILY

Celandine

Clematis Virginiana

Anemone Virginiana
Anemone quinquefolia
Hepatica triloba
Thalictrum polygamum
Ranunculus bulbosus
Ranunculus acris
Ranunculus repens
Caltha palustris
Coptis trifolia
Aquilegia Canadensis
Actea alba

Berberis vulgaris

Brasena peltata
Nymphsea odorata
Nuphar advena

Sarracenia purpurea

Chelidonium majus

Corydalis glauca

Nasturtium Armoracia
Cardamine Pennsylvanica
Sisymbrium officinale
Brassica vSinapistrum
Brassica nigra
Capsella Bursa-pastoris

FUMITORY FAMILY

Pale corydalis

MUSTARD FAMILY

Horseradish
Small bitter cress
Hedge mustard
Charlock
Black mustard
Shepherd's purse

* A few names have been added to this list by W. L. Whittemore and by H. W. Whitte-
tnore ; some corrections have been made at the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

121

Viola rotundifolia
Viola lanceolata
Viola blanda
Viola cucuUata
Viola fimbriatula
Viola couspersa
Viola pubescens

L,echea intermedia

Drosera rotundifolia

Hypericum perforatum
Hypericum ellipticum
Hypericum maculatum
Hypericum mutilum
Hypericum Candadense
Hypericum nudicaule
Elodes campanulata

Saponaria oflficinalis
Stellaria media
Stellaria longifolia
Cerastium vulgatum
Sagina procumbens
Spergula arvensis

Portulaca oleracea

Malva rotundifolia

Tilia Americana

Geranium maculatum
Geranium Robertianum
Impatiens pallida
Impatiens fulva
Oxalis Acetosella
Oxalis cymosa

Rhus typhina
Rhus glabra
Rhus copallina
Rhus venenata
Rhus Toxicodendron

VIOLET FAMILY

Round-leaved violet
Lance-leaved violet
Sweet white violet
Common blue violet
Arrow-leaved violet
Dog violet
Downy yellow violet

ROCK-ROSE FAMILY

Pinweed

SUNDEW FAMILY

Round-leaved sundew

ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY

Common St. John's-wort

Orange-grass ; pine-weed
Marsh St. John's-wort

PINK FAMILY

Common soap-wort ; bouncing Bet
Common chickweed
Long-leaved stitchwort
Mouse-ear chickweed
Pearlwort
Corn spurry

PURSLANE FAMILY

Common purslane
MALLOW FAMILY

Common mallow

LINDEN FAMILY

Basswood

GERANIUM FAMILY

Wild cranesbill
Herb Robert
Pale touch-me-not
Spotted touch-me-not
Common wood-sorrel
Yellow wood-sorrel

CASHEW FAMILY

Staghorn sumach

Smooth sumach

Dwarf sumach

Poison sumach or dogwood

Poison ivy ; poison oak

122

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Vitis Labrusca
Vitis iL'stivalis
Vitis vulpina
Ampelopsis quinquefolia

Acer Pennsylvanicum
Acer spicatum
Acer saccharinum
Acer dasycarpum
Acer rubrum

Polygala sanguinea
Polygala paucifolia

Trifolium arvense
Trifolium pratense
Trifolium repens
Trifolium agrarium
Melilotus oflficinalis
Melilotus alba
Robinia Pseudacacia
Desmodium nudifiorum
Desmodium acuminatum
Lespedeza capitata
Apios tuberosa
Amphicarpsea nionoica

Prunus Pennsylvanica
Prunus Virginiana
Prunus serotina
Spiraea latifolia
Spirsea tomentosa
Agrimonia striata
Geum rivale
Potentilla Norvegica
Potentilla simplex
Potentilla argeutea
Potentilla fruticosa
Fragaria Virginana
Dalibarda repens
Rubus odoratus
Rubus occidentalis
Rubus nigrobaccus
Rubus villosus
Rubus hispidus
Rosa Carolina
Rosa lucid a
Rosa rubiginosa

VINE FAMII^Y

Northern fox-grape
Summer grape
Winter or frost grape
Virginia creeper

SOAPBERRY FAMIL,Y

Striped maple ; moosewood
Mountain maple
Sugar or rock maple
White or silver maple
Red maple

MILKWORT FAMII,Y

PUI^SE FAMILY

Rabbit-foot or stone clover

Red clover

White clover

Yellow or hop clover

Yellow melilot

White melilot

Common locust or false acacia

Tick-trefoil

Bush-clover

Ground-nut ; wild bean

Hog pea-nnt

ROSE FAMII^Y

Wild red cherry

Choke-cherry

Wild black cherry

Common meadow-sweet

Hardback ; steeple-bush

Common agrimony

Water or purple avens

Norway cinque-foil

Common cinque-foil or five-finger

Silvery cinque-foil

Shrubby cinque-foil

Wild strawberry

Dalibarda

Purple flowering raspberry

Black raspberry ; thimble-berry

Common or high blackberry

Low blackberry ; dewberry

Running swamp blackberry

Swamp rose

Dwarf wild-rose

Sweet-brier

PHYSICAL FEATURES

123

Cratfegus coccinea
Crataegus tomentosa
Pyrus Malus
Pyrus arbutifolia
Pyrus Americana
Amelanchier Canadensis

Ribes Cynosbati
Ribes prostratum
Ribes rubrum
Saxifraga Pennsylvanica
Saxifraga Virginiensis
Mitella diphylla
Tiarella cordifolia
Chrysosplenium Americanum

Scarlet-fruited thorn

Black or pear thorn

Apple

Choke-berry

American mountain ash

Shad-bush ; service-berry

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY

Wild 'gooseberry
Fetid currant
Red currant
Swamp saxifrage
Early saxifrage
Mitrewort; bishop's cap
False mitrewort
Golden saxifrage

Sedum Telephium

ORPINE FAMILY

Live-for-ever

WITCH-HAZEL FAMILY

Hamamelis Virginiana Witch-hazel

evening-primrose' FAMILY

Circjea Lutetiana
Circsea alpina
Epilobium angustifolium
Epilobium lineare
Epilobium coloratum
CEnothera biennis
CEnothera pumila
lyudwigia palustris

Enchanter's nightshade
Enchanter's nightshade
Great willow herb ; fire-weed

Hydrocotyle Americana
Pastinaca sativa
Angelica atropurpurea
Slum cicutaefolium

Aralia racemosa
Aralia hispida
Aralia nudicaulis
Aralia trifolia

Cornus Canadensis
Cornus circinata
Cornus stolonifera
Cornus alternifolia
Nyssa sylvatica

Lonicera ciliata

Common evening primrose

Water purslane
PARSLEY family

Water pennywort

Common parsnip

Great angelica

Water parsnip
GINSENG*FAMILY

Spikenard

Bristly sarsaparilla

Wild sarsaparilla

Dwarf ginseng ; ground-nut

DOG-\VOOD FAMILY

Dwarf cornel ; bunch-berry
Round-leaved cornel or dogwood
Red-osier

Alternate-leaved cornel
Tupelo ; "pepperidge ; black or sour
gum tree

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY

Fly-honeysuckle

124

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Diervilla trifida
Sambiicus Canadensis
Sambucus racemosa
Viburnum Lcutago
Viburnum deutatum
Viburnum acerifolium
Viburnum lantanoides
Viburnum cassinoides

Galium asprellum
Galium Claytoni
Galium triflorum
Galium lanceolatum
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Mitchella repens
Houstonia cjerulea

Eupatorium purpureum
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Sericocarpus conyzoides
Aster corymbosus
Aster macrophyllus
Aster Isevis
Aster undulatus
Aster ericoides
Aster Tradescanti
Aster puniceus
Aster acuminatus
Aster linariifolius
Aster umbellatus
Erigeron Canadensis
Erigeron bellidifolius
Erigeron annuum
Erigeron strigosus
Solidago bicolor
Solidago caesia
Solidago puberula
Solidago arguta
Solidago nemoralis
Solidago Canadensis
Solidago serotina
Solidago rugosa
Solidago lanceolata
Inula Heleuium
Ambrosia trifida
Ambrosia artemisia;folia

Tussilago Farfara
Rudbeckia laciniata

Bush-honeysuckle

Common elder

Red-berried elder

Sweet viburnum

Arrow-wood

Maple-leaved arrow-wood ; dockmackie

Hobble-bush ; American way-faring-tree

Withe-rod

MADDER FAMII.Y

Rough bedstraw
Small bedstraw
Sweet-scented bedstraw
Wild liquorice
Button-bush
Partridge-berry
Bluets

COMPOSITE FAMILY

Joe-pye weed ; trumpet weed
Thoroughwort ; boneset
White-topped aster

Double-bristled aster

Horse-weed ; butter-weed

Robin's plantain

Daisy fleabane ; sweet scabious

Golden-rod

Elecampane
Great ragweed
Roman wormwood

weed
Coltsfoot
Cone-flower

hog-weed ; bitter-

PHYSICAL FEATURES

125

Rudbeckia hirta

Heliauthus tuberosus

Bideiis frondosa

Bidens cernua

Anlhemis Cotula

Achillea Millefolium

Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum

var. subpinnatifidum
Tanacetum vulgare
Artemisia vulgaris
Artemisia Absinthium
Gnaphalium polycephalum
Guaphalium uligiuosum
Antennaria plantagiuea
Erechtites hieracifolia
Senecio aureus
Cnicus lauceolatum
Cnicus pumilus
Cnicus arvensis
Arctium L,appa
Cichorium Intybus
Leontodon autumnalis
Hieracium Canadense
Hieracium scabrum
Hieracium paniculatum
Hieracium venosum
Prenanthes trifoliolata
Prenanthes altissima
Taraxacum officinale
Lactuca Canadensis
Lactuca leucophaea

Jerusalem artichoke
Common beggar-ticks
Larger bur-marigold
Common May-weed
Common yarrow or milfoil

Ox-eye or white daisy ; white-weed

Common tansy

Common mugwort

Common wormwood

Common everlasting

IvOw cudweed

Plantain-leaved everlasting

Fireweed

Golden ragwort ; squaw-weed

Common thistle

Pasture thistle

Canada thistle

Common burdock

Succory or cichory

Fall dandelion; hawkbit

Canada hawkweed

Rough hawkweed

Panicled hawkweed

Rattlesnake-weed

White lettuce ; rattlesnake root

Tall white lettuce

Common dandelion

Wild lettuce

False or blue lettuce

Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia inflata
Lobelia spicata
Lobelia Dortmanna

Campanula rotundifolia
Specularia perfoliata

Gaylussacia frondosa
Gaylussacia resinosa
Vaccinium Oxycoccus
Vaccinium macrocarpou
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea
Vaccinium Pennsylvauicum
Vaccinium Canadense
Vaccinium vacillans
Vaccinium corymbosum

LOBELIA FAMILY

Cardinal-flower
Indian tobacco

Water lobelia

CAMPANULA FAMILY
Harebell
Venus's looking-glass

HEATH FAMILY

Blue tangle ; dangleberry

Black huckleberry

Small cranberry

Large or American cranberry

Cowberry

Dwarf blueberry

Canada blueberry

Low blueberry

Common or Swamp blueberry

126

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Epigaea repens

Gaultheria procumbens
Cassandra calyculata
Audroitiecla ligustrina
Kalmia latifolia
Kalmia augustifolia
Kalmia glaiica
Rlioilodendron nudiflora
Rhododcudron Rhodora
Pyrola Americana
Pyrola chlorantha
Pyrola secunda
Chimapliila umbellata
Monotropa uniflora
Monotropa Hypopitys

Ilex verticillata
Nemopanthus fascicularis

Plautago major
Plantago lanceolata

Trientalis Americana
Lysimachia stricta
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Steirouema ciliatum
Anagallis arveusis

May-flower ; ground laurel ; trailing

arbutus
Creeping wintergreen
Leather-leaf
Andromeda

Calico-bush ; mountain laurel
Sheep laurel ; lambkill
Pale laurel

Purple azalia ; pinxter-flower
Rhodora
Wintergreen ; shin-leaf

Pipsissewa ; Prince's pine

Indian pipe

Pine-sap ; false beech-drops

HOI.I.Y FAMILY

Black alder; winterberry
Mountain holly

PIvANTAIN famii,y

Common plantain
Ribgrass ; ripplegrass ;
tain

PRIMROSE FAMII^Y

Star-flower
Loosestrife

English plan-

Utricularia vulgaris

Epiphegus Virginiana
Aphyllon uniflorum

Verbascum Thapsus
Verbascum Blattaria
Linaria vulgaris
Cheloue glabra
Mimulus ringens
Veronica scutellata
Veronica oflicinalis
Gerardia purpurea
Gerardia quercifolia
Melampyrum Americauui

Pimpernel

BI,ADDFRWORT FAMILY

Greater bladderwort

BROOM-RAPF FAMILY

Beech-drops ; cancer-root
One-flowered cancer-root ; naked broom
rape

FIGWORT FAMILY

Common mullein

Moth mullein

Toad-flax'; butter-and-eggs; ramsted

Turtle-head ; snake-head

Monkey-flower

Marsh speedwell

Common speedwell

Purple gerardia

Cow-wheat

PHYSICAL FEATURES

127

.Verbena hastata
Verbena urticsefolia

Trichostema dichotomum
Mentha viridis
Mentha piperita
Mentha Canadensis
Lycopus Virginices
Hedeoma pulegioides
Nepeta Cataria
Nepeta Glechoma
Prunella vulgaris
Scutellaria galericulata
Scutellaria lateriflora
Leonurus Cardiaca

VERVAIN Family
Blue vervain
Nettle-leaved or white vervain

MINT FAMILY

Bastard pennyroyal

Spearmint

Peppermint

Wild mint

Bugle-weed ; water hourhound

American pennyroyal

Catnip

Ground ivy : gill-over-the-ground

Self-heal : heal-all

Skullcap

Motherwort
BORAGE FAMILY
Echinospermum Virginicum Beggar's lice

CONVOLVULUS FAMILY

Convolvulus sepium
Cuscuta Gronovii

Solanum Dulcamara
Datura Stramonium

Gentiana crinita

Gentiana Andrewsii

Limnanthemum lacunosum Floating heart

DOGBANE FAMILY

Hedge bindwood
Dodder

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY

Bittersweet

Jamestown-weed ; thorn-apple

GENTIAN FAMILY

Fringed gentian
Closed gentian

Apocjnum androsaemifolium
Asclepias Cornuti
Asclepias phytolaccoides
Asclepias incarnata

Fraxinus Americana
Fraxinus sambucifolia

Phytolacca decandra

Chenopodium album

Amarantus retroflexus
Amarantus albus

Dogbane ; Indian hemp
Common milkweed or silkweed
Poke milkweed
Swamp milkweed
OLIVE FAMILY
White ash
Black or water ash
POKEWEED FAMILY

Common poke ; garget ; pigeon berry

GOOSEFOOT FAMILY

Lamb's quarters ; pigweed

AMARANTH FAMILY

Pig-weed

Polygonum Persicaria
Polygonum Hydropiper

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
Lady's thumb
Common smartweed or water-pepper

128

HISTORY OF LYNDRBOROUGH

Polygonum aviculare
Polygonum arifolium
Polygonum sagiLtatum
Polygonum Convolvulus
Polygonum scandeus
Rumex Acetosella
Rumex obtusifolius
Rumex crispus

Sassafras officinale
Iviudera Benzoin

Dirca palustris

Eixphorbia maculata
Euphorbia Cyparissias
Acalypha Virginica

Ulmus Americana
Urtica gracilis
Pilea pumila
Humulus IvUpulus

Juglans ciuerea
Carya alba

Betula leuta
Betula lutea
Betula populifolia
Betula papyrifera
Alnus incana
Quercus alba
Quercus velutina
Quercus rubra
Quercus Prinus
Castanea dentata
Fagus ferruginea
Corylus Americana
Corylus rostrata
Ostrya Virginica
Carpinus Caroliniana

Myrica Gale
Myrica Caroliniana
Myrica asplenifolia

Salix discolor
Salix scricea

Knotgrass ; goose-grass ; door-weed
Halberd-leaved tear-thumb
Arrow-leaved tear-thumb
Black bindweed
Climbing false buckwheat
P'ield or sheep sorrel
Bitter dock
Curled dock

IvAUREIv FAMILY

Sassafras

Spice-bush ; Benjamin-bush

MEZEREUM FAMILY

Ivcatherwood ; moose-wood

SPURGE FAMILY

Spurge

Three-seeded mercury
NETTLE FAMILY

American or white elm

Nettle

Richweed ; clearweed

Common hop

WALNUT FAMILY
Butternut
Shell-bark or shag-bark hickory

OAK FAMILY

Sweet or black birch
Yellow or gray birch
American white birch
Paper or canoe birch
Speckled or hoary alder
White oak

Quercitron ; yellow barked, or black oak
Red oak
Chestnut oak
Chestnut
American beech
Wild hazel-nut
Beaked hazel-nut

American hop-hornbeam ; lever-wood
American hornbeam ; water beech
SWEET-GALE FAMILY
Sweet gale

Bayberry ; wax-myrtle
Sweet-fern

WILLOW FAMILY

Glaucous willow
Silky willow

PHYSICAL FEATURES

129

Salix lucida
Salix alba
Salix rostrata
Salix Babylonica
Populus tremuloides
Populus grandidentata
Populus balsamifera, var.
candicans

Pinus rigida

Pinus resinosa

Pinus Strobus

Picea rubra

Picea alba

Tsuga Canadensis

Abies balsamea

Larix Americana

Thuya occidentalis

Juniperus communis, var. depressa,

Shining willow
White willow
Livid willow
Weeping willow
American aspen
Ivarge-toothed aspen

Balm of Gilead

PINE KAMII^Y

Pitch pine

Red pine

White pine

Spruce

White spruce

Hemlock

Balsam fir

American black larch ; tamarack

American arbor vitaae

Pursh.
Juniperus Virginiana
Taxus Canadensis

Habenaria lacera
Habenaria Hookeri
Habenria psycodes
Spiranthes cernua
Spiranthes gracilis
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Corallorhiza multiflora
Cypripedium .acaule

Common juniper

Red cedar or savin

American yew ; ground hemlock

ORCHIS FAMILY

Ragged fringed orchis
Ivadies' tresses

Iris versicolor
Sisyrinchium augustifolium

Smilax rotundifolia
Smilax herbacea
Trillium erectum
Trillium erythrocarpum
Medeola Virginiana
Veratrum viride
Oakesia sessilifolia
Streptopus roseus
Cliutonia borealis
Smilacina racemosa
Maianthemum Canadense
Ivilium Philadelphicum

Pontederia cordata

Pogonia

Coral-root

Stemless Lady's slipper

IRIS FAMILY

Blue flag
Blue-eyed grass

LIIvY FAMILY

Common green briar
Carrion-flower

Purple trillium or birthroot
Painted trillium
Indian cucumber

American white hellebore; Indian poke
"Wild oats"
Twisted-stalk
Cliutonia
False spikenard
Two-leaved Solomon's seal
Wild orange-red lily
PICKEREL-WKED FAMILY
Pickerel-weed

•130

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

RUSH FAMILY

Luzulacampestris, var.multiflora Wood-rush

CAT-TAIL FAMILY

Typha latifolia
Spargauium simplex

Aristema triphyllum
Acorus Calamus

Sagittaria variabilis

Potamogeton natans

Eriocaulon septangulare

Cyperus strigosus
Carex stipata
Carex stellulata
Carex striata
Carex grauularis
Carex gracillima
Carex Peunsylvanica
Carex scabrata
Carex intumescens

Alopecurus pratensis
Phleum prateuse
Argostis alba, var. vulgaris
Agrostis scabra
Calamagrostis Canadensis
Dactylis glomerata
Danthonia spicata
Poa compressa
Poa pratensis
Agropyrum repeus

Cat-tail flag
Bur-reed

ARUM FAMILY

Indian turnip
Sweet flag ; Calamus

WATER-PLANTAIN FAMILY

Arrowhead

PONDWEED FAMILY

Pondweed

PIPEWORT FAMILY
Pipewort
SEDGE FAMILY
Carex polytrichoides
Carex rosea
Carex scoparia
Carex vulgaris
Carex pallescens
Carex laxiflora
Carex communis

Carex debilis, var. Rudgei Carex lurida
Carex lupulina Carex monile

GRASS FAMILY

Meadow foxtail
Timothy ; herds-grass
Red-top
Hair grass
Blue-joint grass
Orchard grass

Carex vulpinoidea
Carex Deweyana
Carex tribuloides
Carex crinita
Carex conoidea
Carex umbellata
Carex pubescens

Wire grass

Green or common meadow-grass

Couch quick or "witch" grass

Equisetum arvense

Polypodium vulgare
Adiantuin pedatum
Pteris aquilina
Asplenium thelypteroidcs
Asplenium Pilix-fccmina
Phegopteris hexagonoptera
Phegopteris Dryopteris
Aspidium Thelypteris

HORSETAIL FAMILY

Common horsetail
FERNS
Pol3'pody
Maidenhair
Common brake
Spleenwort

Beech fern
Shield-fern ; wood-fern

PHYSICAL FEATURES

131

Aspidium Noveboracensc
Aspidiutn spinulosum
Aspidium cristatum
Aspidium marginale
Aspidium acrostichoides
Cystopteris fragilis
Onoclea sensibilis
Woodsia Ilvensis
Dicksonia pilosiuscula
Osmunda regalis
Osmunda Claytoniana
Osmunda cinnamomea
Botrychium Virginicum

Christmas fern
Bladder fern
Sensitive fern
Woodsia

Flowering fern

Cinnamon fern
Moonwort

CliUB-MOSS FAMrl^Y

Club-moss

Ivycopodium lucidulum
L,ycopodium obscurum, var. den-

droideum
Lycopodium clavatum Common club-moss

Lycopodium complanatum, var.

flabelliforme Ground-pine

CHAPTER VI.

lyYNDEBOROUGH UnDER THE PrOVINCIAI^ CHARTER.

Hitherto, we have taken a view of Salera-Canada from 1735
to 1753 ; and, from that time on, we have followed the principal
acts of the original proprietors of Lyudeborough, till all the
lands held in severalty or in common have been assigned to
their rightful heirs or purchasers. We now turn to survey
Lyudeborough as a unit under the provincial government.
The transition from a stock company acting under the Mason-
ian Charter to an incorporated town under a Royal charter, is
well presented in Vol. II of our Town Records, which covers
the period from 1764 to 1774 inclusive. We shall transcribe
only samples of these records, noting main features. We give
in full the records for the years 1764 and 1768, verbatim et
literatim, neither setting aught down in malice, nor cloaking
faults of diction or of orthography.

Town Records, Vol. II, Page 4. Anno. 1753.
Joseph Blanchard Esq. being appointed Agent for the Mason-
ian Proprietors Grants a Charter to Benjamin Lynde Esq. &
others of so much of Salem-Canada as had not been taken off
by No. 2 (now Wilton) & with the addition of Land on the
West & North makes a Township of ab" 28,000 acres, & to be
from thenceforward called Lyudeborough, as ^ Charter dated

5 Dec'' 1753. The bounds whereof Followeth,

A tract of Land in the Prov. of New Hampshire cont" ab"
28000 acres, bounded as followeth ; beginning at the North
East corner 'of a Tract of Land called Duxbury School Farm,

6 in the Line of that Township called Souhegan West, from
thence West by the needle one mile 280 rod to the East Line
of a Tract of Land called No. 2. from thence run' North 480
rods to the N° East corner of No. 2. from thence West by the
needle by the s*^ No. 2, five mile to a White Ash marked the
Corner of Peterboro Slip, & of N" 2, & from thence West by
y*^ needle 240 rods by s"^ Peterb" Slip to a Beach tree marked
from thence North by y*" needle Six miles & ^ to a Tree
marked for the Corner of s'^ Tract, from thence East Three
miles & a quarter to a Tree marked in the Western Line of
New Boston ; from thence South by that Line one mile & an

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 133

half to the most S° Westerly Corner of New Boston afores'',
from thence East by s'' New Boston line Three Miles 120 rod
to a Black Oak marked, Still by New Boston Line run^ South
Two Miles & an half to a Stump & Stones ; from thence East
one mile 80 rod to the N West Corner of that Tract of L,and
called Souhegan West afores^ — from thence by the Line of s**
Souhegan West four miles 123 rod — to the bound first men-
tioned — and to all the bounds afores*^, lett either of the Lines
aforesaid be more or less.

Under this grant the Lyndeborough people acted with varying
fortune for more than eleven years. Other towns around them
sought charters from the Provincial Government, while they held
to the Masonian guarantee of rights. Amherst was chartered
in 1760, Wilton in 1762, New Boston in 1763.* It seemed
Lyndeborough 's turn to move. Accordingly, the very year last
named, we find a " Petition for an Act of Incorporation" ad-
dressed as follows : t "To His Excellency Bening Wentworth
Esq Governor & commander in chief in and over his majestys
Province of New Hamp' & the Hon'^ his Majestys Council.

The petition of a number of Inhabitants of said Province
Humbly Sheweth that they live on a Tract of land in said prov-
ince Bounded Easterly by Amherst southerly by Wilton North-
erly by New Boston and Westerly Near what was called Peter-
borough and that said tract of land is not yet Incorporated into
a Town & by reason of which they labour under many difficultys.
Therefore your petitioners Humbly pray that they may be In-
corporated into a Body Politick and by a charter be invested
with the Authority & Priviledges as other Towns have and enjoy
in this province, and y"^ petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever
pray.

June 28, 1763.

The signers were,

John Stephenson Ephraim Putnam

Joseph Wilkins Melchizedek Boffee

William Holt David Badger

John Carkin George Goold •

Jacob Cram Robert Badger

Jonathan Cram Moses Stiles Jr.

David Cram John Kidder

Moses Ordway Joshua Hadley

*Bouton, IX., pp. 6, 553, and 794. tBouton, Town Papers, Vol. IX., p. 541.

134 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Epliraim Powers John Ordway

Moses vStiles John Johnson

Jacob Welhnan Adam Johnson

William Carson John Hutchinson

Edward Bevings Jr.
To this petition was appended the following note : —
" Having considered the within Petition I do hereby consent
to the Incorporation of the s'' Town of Lyndeborough & you are
hereby directed to prepare a charter of Incorporation accord-
ingly. B. Wentworth
To Mr. Secretary Atkinson."

We present now an outline plan of the town as chartered by
Col. Joseph Blanchard.

The preceding outline plan of the town represents it and its
measurements as given in the Masonian Charter of Dec. 5, 1753.
We now give a copy of the Charter issued by Governor
Wentworth :

(seal) province; op new Hampshire.

George y*' 3'' by the Grace of God of great Brittain, France
& Ireland King, Defender of the Faith &c.

To all to whom these presents shall come — Greeting —

Whereas our loving subjects Inhabitants on a Tract of Land
within our Province of New Hampshire afores^' by the name
lyyndsborough have humbly Petitioned & requested that they
may be erected & incorporated into a Township & Infranchised
with the same Powers & Priviledges w*"'' other Towns have &
Enjoy within our s'' Province by Law have & enjoy ; and it ap-
pearing to us to be conducive to the General good of our s'' Prov-
ince as well as to the s'* Inhabitants in perticular by maintaining
good Order & encouraging the culture of s'' Lands that the same
should be done.

Know ye therefore that we of our special Grace, certain
knowledge, and for the Encouragement & Promotion of these
good Ends & purposes, by & with the Advice of our Trusty &
well beloved Penning Wentworth Esq. our Govern' & Com-
ander in Chief, & of our Council for s** Province of New Hamp-
shire, Have Erected & Ordained, & by these presents for us,
our Heirs & Successors do will & ordain that our. loving sub-
jects residing on the Tract of Land afores^ or that shall here-
after reside and improve thereon, the same being limited &
Bounded as followeth. Beginning at the N. East corner of a

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 135

Tract of lyand called Duxbiiry School Farm & in the Line of
the Township of Amherst, from thence running West by the
needle one mile 280 rods to the East Line of the Township of
Wilton, from thence North by the needle four hundred Ninety
Eight rods to the N° East Corner of Wilton afores'* From
thence West by the needle by Wilton afores** five miles to a
White Ash marked the Corner of Peterborough Slip & Wilton
afores'' from thence West by the needle Two hundred & 40
rod by s'' Peterb° Slip to a Beach tree marked, from thence
North by the needle Six miles & Three quarters to a Tree
marked for the Corner of s" Tract — from thence East by the
needle Three miles & one quarter to a Tiee marked in the
Western lyine of New Boston ; from thence South by that Line
one mile & an half to the most Southwesterly Corner of New
Boston afores*^ from thence East by the s** New Boston Line,
Three miles 120 rods to a black oak marked ; Still by s" New
Boston Line & runs South Two miles & an half to a stump &
stones, from thence East one mile & 80 rods to the North West
corner of Amherst afores^ : from thence South by the Line of
Amherst, four miles One hundred Twenty three rods, to the
bounds first mentioned. Shall be & by these Presents are de-
clared & ordained to be a Town corporate & are hereby Erected
& Incorporated into a body politick «& corporate to have con-
tinuance untill his Majesty's Pleasure shall be signified to the
contrary ; by the name of Lyndeborough, with all the Powers
Authority's Priviledges and Immunities & Franchises which
any other Town in s** Province by law have & enjoj^ ; always
reserving to us our heirs and successors all White Pine Trees
that are or shall be found growing & being on the s" Tract of
Land, fit for the use of our Royal Navy ; reserving also the
Power & right of Deviding the s*^ Town when it shall appear
necessary & convenient for the benefit for the Inhabitants
thereof. Provided nevertheless, and it is hereby declared that
this our Charter & Grant is not intended or shall in any manner
be construed to Extend to or Affect the Private Property of the
Soil within the limits afores^ And as the several Towns within
our s"* Province of New Hampshire are by the laws thereof en-
abled & authorized to assemble & by the authority of the voters
present to chuse all such officers and Transact such affairs as by
s'' Laws are declared ; We Do by these presents Nominate &
Appoint Mr. John Stephenson to call the first meeting any time
within 30 days from the Date hereof, giving legal notice of the

136 HISTORY OF LYNDEROROUGH

Time & Place & Design of Holding such meeting, after which
the Annual meeting for s" Town for the choice of Ofl&cers and
management of the affairs afores'' shall be held within ^ Town-
ship on the Second Tuesday of March annually.

In Testimony whereof "^e have caused the seal of our s'^
Province to be hereunto Affixed.

Witness, Benning Wentworth Esq"^ our Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in & over our s'* Province of New Hampshire,
the 23** Day of April in the 4"' year of our Reign, Annoq
Domini 1764.

By his Exceir^'* Comand
with advice of Council
T. Atkinson Jun' Sec'^y. B. Wentworth.

Province of New Hampshire 24 April 1764.

Recorded in the Book of Charters No. i p. 261, 262.

^ T. Atkinson Jun'' Sec-^^.

Copy from Original.

THE FIRST TOWN MEETINGS.

Province of ] By vertue of a Charter I have given notice

New Hampshire j to all Persons Inhabiting that Tract of I^and
Known by the Name of Lyndeborough that whereas it hath
Pleased his Excellency Governor Wintworth with the advice of
the Council of this Province to Incorporate the tract of L,and
with the Inhabitants into a Township by the Name of Lynds-
borough — whereas it Hath Pleased the said Governor and
Councel to Nominate and apoint me the subscriber to call the
first Meeting for the choice of town officers.

These are therefore to warn all the freeholders and other In-
habitents of said tract of lyand now in the town of Lyndsbor-
ough that they meet at the meetinghouse in said town on Tues-
day the fifteenth day of May next liisuing the date hereof at one
O Clock in the afternoon.

1 — to Except of said Chartor

2 — to Chuse nessecery and ordenary town officers for the
year untill the Second tuesday in next March Insuing. Given
under my Hand this twenty Eighth day of April Anodo y. 1764

The above is a notification for a town meeting by vertue of a
Chartor — Tru Copy John Stephenson.

At a Legol meeting of the Inhabitants of Lyndsborough being
Uneversally met by vertue of a Chartor at the meetinghouse —
on fifteenth day of May Ad. 1764

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 137

Voted by a Large Majority that the Charter is Excepted

Voted John Shepard Jun'' Moderator to this meeting

Voted John Stephenson Town Clerk

Voted Jonathan Cram Benjamin Cram William Carson Se-
lectmen

Voted Melchizedek Boofee Constable

Voted Sergant John Hutchinson Edward Beveins Jun"^ David
Badger John Kidder & David Cram Survayors of Highways

Voted Jacob Wellman Ephraim Putnam Tything men

Voted Selectmen fence vewers

Voted David Badger George Goold Deer Keepers

Voted Jacob Cram Asahel Stiles Hawards or field drivers

Voted George Goold Pound Keeper.
Trew Copy att. "^ John Stephenson Town Clerk.

Province of New Hampshire.

lyyndsborough May y*^ 15, 1764

At the opening of the meeting a discent was given as foloeth.

I the Subsbriber do Enter my descent against the excepting
of the Chartor as witness my hand Jeramiah Carleton

Att. John Stephenson Clerk.

Such is the record of the first town meeting. Three others
were also held that year, as if to get the new machinery speedily
into good working order.

The first of these was held the 6th of June, and votes were
taken on six articles, viz.: —

1. Jonathan Cram was chosen Moderator.

2. A committee was chosen to treat with the Proprietors of the
town to see if they will continue their contributions to enable us
to hire preaching. Jonathan Cram was chosen such committee.

3. They petitioned the Proprietors for aid in resettling the
gospel ; & Ephraim Putnam, Jonathan Cram, & John Stephen-
son were chosen a committee to present the petition.*

4. Dismissed the matter of raising money to pay for charter.

5. Voted money to pay for boarding the ministers the year
past.

6. Dismissed the article, on accepting the roads.

*The response of the proprietois may be found in the " Proprietors' Records " under
date of Nov. 12, 1765 They voted, " that for the Kncouragenient of a Learned Ortliodox
minsters settling . . . among' the people of I^yndeboro, there be paid to the order of
sd Town, the smn of Thirty Three pounds 6 s 8 pence, I<. money annualy for the space
of two j'ears from such ministers settlement, — he continuing to discharge the Office &
Duty of a Gospel Minister." Voted also, "That as a further Encouragement for such
ministers settling in the ministry at I^yndeboro there is granted Two hundred acres of
the Unappropriated I,and, to be for the use of such Person his Heirs and Assigns for
ever, & to be laid out by the Proprietors." Prop. Rec'ds, year 1765.

138 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

The second of these meetings was held Sept. i8, 1764, and
considered six articles : —

1. Chose Kphraim Powers Moderator.

2. Dismissed consideration of better accommodating the South
East corner of the town as to holding Sabbath Meetings, or eas-
ing them in paying charges for the minister's board.

3. Voted to raise 6 ^. 6 S. sterling money of Great Britain,
or 28 Spanish milled Dollars, to pay for the charter of Incor-
poration.

4. Voted to choose a committee to hire preaching "the Pro-
prietors alowing the money," for the remainder of the year;
and chose the Selectmen such committee.

5. Voted to warn townmeetings for the future, by setting up
two warrants, — one at the meetinghouse, & the other, at the
house of John Hutchinson in the South East corner of the town.

6. Voted to ' ' Except the roads as described in a paper read
by Benjamin Cram in this meeting."

The third meeting was held Nov. 28, 1764.

1. Chose Ephraim Powers Moderator.

2. A proposition to divide the town at Boffee's Mountain, so
called, was negatived.

3. To see if the town-meetings ma}- be held at the centre of
population instead of at the meetinghouse, was also negatived.

4. To see if the town will relieve Jacob Cram and all the other
inhabitants South of him from all taxes except the Province tax,
was also decided in the negative.

All these were attested by John Stephenson, Town Clerk.
We give abstracts of succeeding meetings : —
Mar. 12, 1765, — Annual Townmeeting.

1. Chose Benjamin Cram, Moderator.

2. " John Stephenson, Clerk.

3. " John Stephenson, Edward Bevins Jr. & David
Badger, Selectmen.

Aug. 29, 1765,—

1. Chose Jonathan Cram, Moderator.

2. The several places proposed as sites for the meetinghouse,
negatived.

3. Vote, to consult Proprietors to aid in deciding on the place,
ik. to call Rev. Antipas Steward as pastor.

4. The latter' s salary is not to be specified atthis meeting.

5. Benjamin Cram, Sergt. John Hutchinson, & Jacob Cram

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 139

were appointed a committee to see what encouragement the Pro-
prietors will give toward Mr. Steward's settlement.

6. Voted that the southeast corner of the town have preaching
one fourth of the time at Jacob Cram's house.

Dec. 12, 1765, —

At a meeting held on this date at the meetinghouse Voted, —

1. Benjamin Cram, Moderator.

2. The proposal to build a meetinghouse on 2nd. division Lot.
No. 69, near its N. E. corner &c. Negatived.

3. To dismiss the proposal to give Mr. Antepas Steward a call
to the ministry.

4. To settle with the Treasurer of the proprietors in regard to
money received for preaching, & Jacob Wellman be the commit-
tee to carry out the same.

5. To dismiss article five, in regard to hiring preaching in the
winter.

6. Cleared Mr. William Carson & Mr. Jeremiah Carleton from
paying personal rates this year. The proposal to clear Mr. John
Rand Esq., ^zs negatived.

John Stephenson, Clerk.

DISSENT,

Several freeholders present at this meeting entered an earnest
dissent against passing votes "to build a meeting-house near
the N. E. corner of 2nd. division Lot No. 69, forty feet long by
thirty feet wide, with eighteen feet posts, on condition that the
Proprietors pay 26^ 13s. &4d. towards the building." This
was the second article of the warrant ; and the third was to see
if the town would extend a call to Mr. Steward to become their
pastor, and ascertain what assistance the proprietors would
give to encourage him in settling here. The dissentients record
themselves as follows : " Against said 2nd. & 3rd. articles being
voted, we do not yeald or consent unto it for the Reasons that
foUoweth ; viz. we think the dementions of the house are not
Properly Given ; but if they ware we are not able to defray the
charges ; besides we are of opinion that the place is very dis-
comodious for setting a Meeting House, & that we are not able
to settle and sbport a minister : —
Joseph Wilkins Richard Boynton

Phineas Barker Jacob Wellman

George Hutchinson William Carson Jr.

Jacob Cram James Johnson

James Hutchinson John Carkin

140 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Edward Bevins John Hutchinson

Edward Bevins Jr. Benjamin Richardson

John Johnston

John Hutchinson, Sergt.

Adam Johnson

The above is a true Record of a discent brought in to the
L,ast Town Meeting — true copy — Att. John Stephenson, Town
Clerk.

In answer to the petition of the town for fixing on a place for
the meetinghouse, the Proprietors of Lyndeborough, at their
meeting at Mr. Somerville's in Salem, Mass., on Nov. 12, 1765,
voted, "That the meetinghouse be set near the N. East corner
of second division lyOt. No. 69, belonging to John Goold, he
alowing the ten acres ordered by charter to be set off for pub-
lick use ; provided also that the inhabitants build a suitable
house for publick worship of the dimentions following, viz.
forty feet long and thirty feet wide, on the Proprietors paying
towards the purchase of glass, nails, and other materials the
sum of Twenty-six pounds, Thirteen shillings and Four pence,
Lawful Money."

Voted, " That for the encouragement of a learned Orthodox
minister settling in the ministry among the people at Lynde-
borough, there be paid to the order of said town the sum of
Thirty-three Pounds, Six shillings & Eight pence annuall)'^ for
the space of five years from the settlement of a minister, he
continuing to discharge the office & duty of a gospel minister
to said people."

Voted, " That as a further encouragement for such minister's
settlement in the ministry at said place, there be granted two
hundred acres of Land to such person, his heirs «& assigns for
ever, and to be laid out by the proprietors."*

True Copy, Benj'* Lynde, Proprietors' Clerk.
Att. True Copy Examined, John Stephenson, T. Clerk.

Jan. 16, 1766.

On this date, a town meeting held in the meetinghouse.

1. Chose Benjamin Cram, Moderator, and voted, to adjourn
the meeting to Mr. Ebenezer Caston's house, (now C. R.
Boutwell place).

2. Voted, "by Pole to Except of the Proposals" made by

*T. R. I., page i8.

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER " 141

the Proprietors of the town in answer to the petition of the
town Respecting a Meeting-house.

3. Voted to choose a committee consisting of Ephraim Put-
nam, John Stephenson & George Goold, to imform the Proprie-
tors of their action.

On Dec. 3, 1765, occurred one of the instances of a custom,
common in those early days, of warning out of the town any
recent comer who had no good means of self-support, and was
therefore likely to become a burden on the town. When in the
opinion of Edward Bevins Jr. such a person was on the ground,
he notified his associates on the board of selectmen of the fact,
and they issued a warrant expressed in these words : * ' Pur-
suant therefore to the lyaw of this Province in such cases made
and provided, you are hereby in his Majesty's name required
instantly to warn the said (person named) to depart and leave
this town." The warrant was signed by the two remaining
selectmen, John Stephenson and David Badger.

Rev. Mr. Clark gives an amusing instance of one constable
who performed a duty of this kind ' ' with great official impor-
tance," saying " I have come Mr. Wilkins to warn you off the
face of God's earth ; so now you step ! " *

The warrant for the town-meeting, March 11, 1766, had a
postscript added to it, from the inhabitants of the S. E. corner
of the town, desiring either to have the meeting-house brought
nearer to them, or to be cleared " from the charge or part of
the charge of building the meeting-house and settling a minis-
ter, excepting his yearly salary."

Town Meeting at the meetinghouse. Voted,

1 . Benjamin Cram be moderator.

2. Benjamin Cram, John Stephenson and Sargt. John Hutch-
inson be selectmen.

3. John Stephenson, Town Clerk.

Also, to repair, accept, and lay out various roads ; and ad-
journed to March 13, at ten o'cl. a. m. at the meetinghouse.

Met according to adjournment. Voted to warn town meet-
ings by setting up two warrants ; one at Benjamin Cram's
house, and the other at John Hutchinson's, in the S. E. corner
of the town.

Voted, Ephraim Putnam, Melchizedek Boffee, and George
Gould a committee to supply the pulpit.

*S.-C., page 31.

142 • » HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Voted, to concur with the church in completing a call to Rev.
A. Steward.

Voted, To give him an annual salary of 40^ sterling until
there are seventy families, and after that. Forty-five pound,
until there are a hundred families ; and after that 50^, an-
nually.

Voted, That the supply committee extend the call.

Voted, To dismiss the Postscript.

July I, 1766. At a legal meeting of this date

First. Voted, Jacob Wellman, Moderator.

Second. Voted, that the selectmen lay out a road from Jacob
Wellman's to Amherst line, near vStephen Peabody's ;

Thirdly, Voted, another road proposed, in the negative.

July 21 At a legal meeting, the Rev. Daniel Wilkins of
Amherst being present was chosen moderator.

Voted, That, in order that the most easterly inhabitants of
the town may cordially join with the others in settling the
gospel, that the meeting-house be built about half way between
where it was fixed by the Proprietors of this township, and
where the meeting-house now stands, that is, before the door of
Mr. Gould's house, where a heap of stone is this instant laid
by the inhabitants of the town ; Provided the Proprietors con-
sent thereto, as in the former place by them voted.

The meeting was adjourned, to the spot here described, when
the vote was passed.

Aug. 7. A legal meeting was held and voted :

1. That Jonathan Cram be Moderator.

2. Chose a committee to consult the Proprietors and see
whether they will concur with the town in setting a meeting-
house where the town last voted ; and also to see if they will
grant any further encouragement towards a minister's settle-
ment. The committee were Ephraim Putnam, Jonathan Cram,
and Jacob Wellman.

Sept. 4, 1766. A legal meeting held on this date.

Chose Ephraim Putnam, Moderator.

Voted, the Proprietors having concurred in the change, to
build the meeting-house in front of George Gould's house,
where a heap of stones was laid by the inhabitants on July
21, 1766.

Voted, To give Mr. Antipas Steward a call.

Voted John Johnson, Jonathan Cram and John Glover a com-
mittee to procure land for a meetinghouse spot.

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 143

Mr. Antipas Steward declined the call given. Possibly the
dissentions about the location and building of the meeting-house
influenced his decision. But, at a legal meeting held Jan. 20,
1767, the ver}^ next meeting of the town after this, the town
voted " to give Mr. Sewall Goodridge a call to settle with us."
They voted for " liis incorigemint to settle, Fifty Pounds "star-
ling money of Grate Brittan," twenty-five to be paid within one
year after his settlement, and the residue within the second year
after. The remaining terms of his salary were the same as those
offered Mr. Steward.

It was voted that the moderator, Jonathan Cram, together
with Ephraim Putnam and Benjamin Cram give Mr. Goodridge
the call.

Town Meeting, Feb. 13, 1767.

At the meeting held on this date the usual steps were taken
to obtain assistance from the proprietors ; and further to see if
they would grant the minister, provided he shall accept the call,
the privilege of his selecting the 200 acre farm which they had
voted him ; or if he did not settle with them, to see if they
would permit the town to choose such a farm out of the common
and undivided land.

March 10, 1767. — At the annual meeting the customary offic-
ers were chosen and necessary appropriations made for expenses.

Dec. 10. — Met at the meetinghouse. Voted,

1. Jonathan Cram for Moderator.

2. To build a meetinghouse next year, 50 ft. long, by 40 ft.
wide, with twentytwo feet studs ; the outside to be decently fin-
ished, and the lower floor laid by the Sep. ist. next ensuing.

3. To raise 80^ to carry on the work, & a committee of five
men, viz. Benjamin Cram, Jonathan Cram, Sergeant John
Hutchinson, Levi Spaulding, and James Boutwell, was chosen to
complete it.

Town meeting, Dec. 24, 1767. Voted,

1. Jonathan Cram as Moderator.

2. To give Mr. Sewall Goodridge a call to settle in the minis-
try in this town ; and further,

3. That Jonathan Cram, Benjamin Cram, and Ephraim Put-
nam be committee to extend Mr. Goodridge's call.

4. To adjourn this meeting td Jan. 5, 1768.

The adjourned meeting was held, and Ephraim Putnam was
chosen to carry his answer from Mr. Goodridge, and the condi-
tions attached to the Proprietors.

144 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Voted, To adjourn this meeting to Jan. 21.

Met according to adjournment, and again.

Voted, To adjourn to the 2nd. Tuesday in Mar. next, (Mar.
8, 1768.)

Met accordingly on Mar. 8.

Voted, To adjourn to the first Monday in May next, (May
2nd.)

May 2. — Voted, To concur with the church in the ordination
of Mr. Sewall Goodridge.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lyndeboro' upon adjourn-
ment on the 5th. day of January 1768, at the meetinghouse

Voted in order to receive Mr. Sewall Goodridge's answer to
the foregoing call, that Ephraim Putnam is committee to carry
Mr. Goodridge's answer or the conditions of his answer to the
Proprietors of this Township.

Voted, to continue the adjournmint of this meeting to thirsday
the twenty first day of this Instant January, at ten of the clock,
in the forenoon, at the meetinghouse.

true copy, Att '^ John Stephenson \ Town Clerk.

At the adjournmint of a meeting of the Town of Lyndsbor-
ough on the twenty first day of January 1768, at the meeting-
house, —

Voted to adjourn this meeting to the Second tusday in March
next, at Nine Oclock in the forenoon at the meetinghouse.

copy att '^ John Stephenson \ Town Clerk.

At a meeting of the Inhabitents of lyyndsborough, at the
meetinghouse, upon adjournmint on March the Eighth, 1768,
(being a Tuseday) at nine o'clock in the forenoon : —

Voted, to Continue the adjournmint of this meeting to the
first monday in may next, at two of the clock in the afternoon at
the meetinghouse.

true copy att ^ John Stephenson J^ Town Clerk.

At the meeting of the Inhabitents of Ivyndsborough upon ad-
jurnmint on may 2'', 1768, at the meetinghouse —

Voted, to concur with the Church in the Choice of the after-
mentioned Pastors & Churches to performe the solemnite of the
ordination of Mr. Sewall Goodridge over the Church of Christ
in this Place, on Wednesday the seventh day of September
next, (viz.) Rev'' Mr. Zabdial Adams, — Rev'' John Payson —
Rev'' Nathaniel Merrill, Rev'' Daniel Wilkins — Rev" Daniel

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 145

Emerson — Rev*^ Joseph Emerson, — Rev'* Stephen Farrar, —
Rev*^ Jonathan Ivivermore — and Rev*^ Joseph Kidder.*

Messrs. John Stevenson, Melchizedek Boffee, and George
Gould were chosen a committee to provide entertainment for the
council, and also for the relatives of Mr. Goodridge.t

The bills for entertainment amounted to the handsome sum of
Fortyeight Pounds, four shillings & six pence, silver, Old
Tenor. \

But the location of the meetinghouse was an irrepressible
source of trouble. At a town-meeting held in April || a request
made by Josiah Button and others from the western part of the
town, for better accommodation as to the place of the meeting-
house received consideration. Those who made the request and
the rest of the town, mutually agreed to refer the case to a com-
mittee jointly chosen. The committee consisted of three promi-
nent and judicious men, which were. Col. John Goffe of Bedford,
Col. Samuel Barr, of Londonderry, and Col. John Hale of Hollis.
After due attention and deliberation concerning the matter, they
decided upon the spot already selected, where a monument of
stones had been laid, and stated that that spot or "as near that
as the L,and will admit, in our opinion, is the most suitable
place for erecting the meetinghouse in the Town of Lynde-
borough." John Goffe 1

Signed Samuel Barr )-Com.§

John Hale J

ESTIMATED COST OF MEETINGHOUSE.

The town, on date here given, Nov. i, 1768, voted to accept
" acompts " of the committee for the cost of the meetinghouse
which was " One thousand thirty seven Pounds Eight shillings
& seven pence, silver, old tenor ; of which Eighty Pounds,
Lawful Money is raised. "H

They voted to raise ^53, 6s. and 8d. to pay the remaining
charge of the building.** They voted also to have 20 pews
around by the walls, and four back of the body seats. The
pews were to be appraised by a committee, and the highest payer
of rates was to have first choice of pews as appraised, the second
highest payer, next choice, and so on. The money received
was to be laid out in finishing the house. tt

John Stephenson, Osgood Carlton and Jacob Wellman were

*For a fuH account of the ordination, see chapter on the church history.
tT. R. I. pp. 40, 41. tib., p. 46. (Records again abridged.) IIApril ii, 1768.

§TR.'sI. pp. 23, 44. ITSeeT. R.,I, p. 36 ** lb., p. 47. tt T. R., I, p. 51.

146 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

chosen a committee to lay out and appraise the spots for the
pews.

Nov. 28, 1769, a committee consisting of Adam Johnson,
Osgood Carlton and Jacob Wellman was appointed to examine
the land allowed for the meeting-house, and see that its bounds
were properly described and recorded.

The land was 22 rods long on the west side, 23 rods on the east
side, 7>^ rods on the north end, and n rods on the south end,
on the west side of the road.*

Mar. 16, 1770, the town voted to have 26 pews on the lower
floor, exclusive of the parsonage pew, and 22 pews in the
gallery, 48 in all. The parsonage pew seems not to have been
counted. Spots for the pews were sold on the 7th of Nov.,
1770, for 189 pounds, L. M,, John Shepard Esq. acting as
salesman ; and it hardly seems as though they could have had a
very dry time of it. For the bills for " Liquer, Vittels, Horse-
keeping, and Other Perticulars were 9^. 4s. 6d."

In one of the warrants for a town meeting in 1771, was an
article which aimed, ' ' To see if the Town will take aney
method to prevent the Snow Blowing in threw the Ruf of the
Backside of the meetinghouse ; ' ' and on this matter they
voted to " Pint the Backside of the Ruf."

At the March meeting in 1772, the price of labor for men
and oxen on the highways was fixed from the middle of April
to the last of October, by vote as follows : Two shillings a day
for a man, and one shilling and four pence a day for a pair of
oxen, nine and one half pence for a cart : and from the first of
November to the middle of April, one shilling and six pence a
day for a man, and one shilling for a pair of oxen ; one shilling
and four pence for a plow, and the other articles that men work
with in proportion.

The matter of special interest in the town records for the
year 1773 was the petition of the inhabitants to the Court at
Amherst, then, the shire town, for the repeal of a financial
grievance. This arose in the following way. John Holland
of Amherst, a deputy sheriff, brought suit against one Joseph
Kelley of Hudson, and obtained judgment against him for the
sum of ^83. Kelley failed to secure bondsmen, and was im-
prisoned. But he, together with another prisoner, escaped
from jail, and left Holland to take care of his own finances.
This he did by petitioning the Court for a grant to atone for

*T. R. I, p. 76.

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 147

his loss, and the Court so decreed it. The ^83 therefore was
added to the county taxes, forming as the petitioners thought,
an unjust and grievous burden, and a precedent liable to be
repeated whenever an unprincipled man could win the favor of
the Court in a similar case. There were also circumstances
which suggested official connivance in connexion with the
escape. Nearly all the towns in the county united in a peti-
tion for redress.

This town voted unanimously to send John Stephenson and
Nathaniel Phelps to join in a request that the Court would
reconsider the grant made to Holland, and direct the County
" Treasurer not to pay the same."*

When at the session of Court, " the Question was put whether
the Court would Issue an order to the treasurer to revoke the
former order and it passed in the Negative, Ordered therefore
that the petition be Dismissed.

Copy Attest J. Holland."!

He seems to have been Clerk of that Court. But the people
of Lyndeborough were not satisfied. Consequently on Nov. i,
1773, the Town voted to send John Stephenson as agent to
petition the General Court, or Legislature, for a repeal of the
grievances they suffer on account of Capt. Kelly's " escape out
of Goal." But, all seems to have been of no avail. For in
the House, Jan. 21, 1774, the petition was dismissed. It was
a bit of interesting and instructive reading however. +

It will be remembered that this was the year, 1773, of the ap-
palling calamity connected with the raising of the Wilton meet-
ing-house. The event is not properly a part of our town his-
tory. But, to such an extent were our citizens sufferers in
consequence of it, that no history of that period would be at all
adequate to our situation, which should not contain some
account of it. We are, therefore, glad to reproduce a passage
from the account of the Wilton Centennial, which describes for
us in fitting language, the awful occasion.

CASUAI^ITIES OF LYNDEBOROUGH MEN AT THE RAISING OF
THE WILTON MEETING-HOUSE.

The following graphic account of the event is from the oration
of Rev. Ephraim Peabody, at the centennial celebration of Wil-
ton, in 1839.

They commenced raising it Sept. 7, 1773. Such things

* Bouton IX, p. 23. t lb. p. 24. \ Bouton XI, pp. 63 to 65.

148 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

were conducted differently then from what they are now. It
was considered the work of two days. People came from dis-
tant towns to see the spectacle. There was great note of prep-
aration. A committee of the town appointed the raisers, and
ample provisions were made to entertain strangers.

It was a beautiful September morning. And now might be
seen coming in by every road, and from the neighboring towns,
great numbers, men, women and children, to see the show.
Some came on foot ; some practiced the method, unknown in
modern days, of riding and tying ; some were on horseback,
with their wives or sisters behind on a pillion. It was an occa-
sion of universal expectation. The timbers were all prepared,
the workmen ready, and the master-workman, full of the dignity
of his ofl5ce, issuing his orders to his aids. All went on pros-
perously. The good cheer, the excitement of the work, the
crowd of spectators, men looking on, women telling the news,
boys playing their various games, all made it a scene of general
rejoicing.

The sides of the house were already up, and also a part of
the roof at the east end of the building. One of the raisers from
Lyndeborough, Captain Bradford, had brought over his wife,
whom he left on account of illness, at the place where Mr. Bald-
win now resides, while he himself went on to take part in the
work. Having to pass along the centre of the building he ob-
served that the middle beam extending across the church, was
not properly supported. A post was under the centre, but it
was wormeaten and was already beginning to yield and give
way under the pressure. In raising the middle part of the roof
the weight of the workmen would come in great measure on
this beam, which was evidently not strong enough to bear up
the timbers and men. He immediately ascended the roof and
informed the masterworkman, who, being made over confident
by the success thus far, replied to him that if he was afraid he
might go home, that they wanted no cowards there. Indignant,
he immediately went down and started off for his wife with the
purpose of returning home. But before he had reached Mr.
Baldwin's the men had already proceeded forward, confident and
elated at their progress. They were swarming upon the un-
supported beam and the planks and timbers which rested on
it. They were raising up, with much exertion and shouts of
direction and encouragement the beams and rafters, when sud-
denly, as he was anxiously looking back, he saw the frame

THE PROVINCIAL CHARTER 149

already erected tremble, the men shrink back aghast, the build-
ing seemed to rock for a moment to and fro, and suddenly all,
timbers and tools and men, rushed down together in one mingled
mass in the centre. The crash was so loud as to be heard
nearly a mile. For a moment all was silent, and then the air
was filled with groans and outcries and shrieks of terror. There
were fifty-three men on the frame that fell. Three were instant-
ly killed, two died very shortly afterwards, others were crippled
for life, and most of them were more or less mangled or wounded.

"To understand the impression that the event made at the
time, it must be remembered the whole population of the town
— men, women and children — was scarcely five hundred. It
was like so many men lost overboard from a ship at sea. It
caused a general mourning, for there were few families which had
not lost a friend, or connexion, or some one of whose friends
were not among the wounded."

Under date of Nov. 30, 1894, W. H. Grant Esq. of St. Paul,
Minnesota wrote his brother, David C. Grant. " I found recent-
ly a list of the killed and wounded at the raising of the Wilton
Meeting-house. Those from lyyndeborough were as follows ; —
Killed instantly, Reuben Stiles. Mortally wounded, Joseph
Severance, Timothy Carlton, and Benjamin Jones. The first
of these died the next day ; the second, lived four days, and the
third was supposed to be dead, when the matter was written.
Wounded, David Carlton, Jonathan Chamberlain, Thomas
Boffee, Andrew Thompson, Benjamin Senter, Ebenezer Gard-
ner, Uriah Cram, Edward Bevins, Nehemiah Hutchinson, and
John Rowe."

Sept. 14th, 1774, the town voted to build a pound, 25x30 feet,
the wall to be 6 feet high, faced on the inside, 3 feet thick at
the bottom and i^ feet at the top, and to be capped with a
timber frame. It was to have a convenient gate with lock, and
was to be finished to the ' ' Exceptance ' ' of the town by the
first of March. George Gould and Thomas Boffee agreed to
build it as proposed for Four Pound, Lawful Money.

The ruins of the structure, long unused, show the solidity
of their work, done nearly 130 years ago. It stands back of
the sheds, south of the meeting-house.

150 HISTOR V OF L YNDEBOROUGH

PRECURSORS OF THE REVOLUTION

Had already begun to appear. On the 15th day of July, 1774,
the Chairman of the House of Representatives sent a message
to the Selectmen of Lyndeborough, desiring them to choose an
agent to join with agents from the other towns, in a convention
at Kxeter, to consult as to the best and most peaceable methods
for uniting the colonies and the mother country, and establish-
ing their rights and privileges on a solid and lasting founda-
tion. He also requested the people to raise thirty shillings by
subscription to defray expenses in connexion with the Congress
at Philadelphia.

The Selectmen, Andrew Fuller, David Badger, and I,evi
Spaulding, called a meeting for July 18, and added, " As the
time is short we would desire every one that hath money by
him would bring it to the meeting with him."

Signed, Andrew Fuller, T. Clerk.

At this meeting, Ephraim Putnam was chosen Agent to go
to " Exator, " and the thirty shillings for the expenses of the
New Hampshire delegates to Congress were provided.

At a town meeting Oct. 31, 1774, it was voted to purchase a
Town Stock of " Powder, Bawls and Flints," namely, one
barrel of powder, one hundred " wait of lead and five Dussen
of Flints," and Ephraim Putnam was chosen to make the
purchase.

Thus preparations were making for possible hostilities, at the
same time that delegates were appointed to use their utmost
wisdom to bring about an honorable and enduring peace.

CHAPTER VII.
The Revolutionary War.

The last meeting on record in Volume I, of our town's
archives, is dated Jan. 20, 1775, and states that Dr. Benjamin
Jones was elected a delegate to Exeter, where a convention was
to choose an agent, or agents, to the Continental Congress, to
assemble at Philadelphia in May ; and also to choose a com-
mittee to apportion to each town its share of the expenses of
such a congress.

At the annual meeting in March the town voted to raise
money to pay the expenses of delegates to Congress.

The disturbances in and around Boston were reported in all
the parts of New England with which Boston held communica-
tion. The militia of New Hampshire were alive to all the
interests of a true freedom as far as they were able to see them.
The organization and training of men for military service in an
emergency had not been wholly neglected. The report of the
battle of I^exington, April 19, 1775, sounded out among our
northern hills as the tocsin for mustering their freedom loving
inhabitants, and from all sides the brave yeomanry sprung to
arms.

Four days after the famous fight and flight from Lexington
and Concord, Captain Levi Spaulding of Lyndeborough
marched with a company of sixty men to the seat of war.
Thomas Boffee was his 2nd lieutenant; William Lee and James
Hutchinson were sergeants, and twenty-three others of his
fellow townsmen and neighbors were in the ranks ; a list of
whom is appended : Corporals, Benjamin Dike and Samuel
Hutchinson. Fifer, Jacob Dutton. Privates, Nathaniel Batch-
elder, Phineas Barker, Edward Bevins, James Campbell, Nehe-
miah Hutchinson, John Johnson, Jesse Lund, John Rowe,
Ephraim Smith, Isaac Carkin, David Carlton,* Ezra Dutton,
Joseph Ellinwood, Samuel McMaster, Andrew Thompson, Jacob
Wellman, Elisha Wilkins, Josiah Woodbury, Timothy Mc-
Intire, Daniel Cram.

At a town meeting on May 3, 1775, it was voted to raise
ten minute-men and voted upon the fidelity of the town, that

* David CarltoH was mortally wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill, and died two
days later, June 19. 1775. Jacob Wellman was also reported as mortally wounded, but
be recovered and lived many years.

152 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

if these are called away upon any " Sudding Elerrim," those
that tarry at home shall take care of their farms ; and the
selectmen were appointed to carry this vote into effect.

They chose Ephraim Putnam, Jr., delegate to the Congress
at Exeter. Agreed to buy a town stock of provisions, and chose
a committee to have charge of it. They also voted to pay each
minute-man one shilling for each half-day's exercise in drill,
which they desired vShould be performed each week.

Every vote passed in relation to the war for independence and
raising and equipping men for the army indicates the patriotic
spirit of the people, and the lively interest they took in the wel-
fare of their country.

June 17, 1775, a meeting was called at which the whole
" Training Band " was requested to assemble in order to choose
three commissioned ofl&cers for the town, and those who had re-
ceived powder or balls from the town were requested to return
them to the Selectmen. While men read this notice in Lynde-
borough, twenty-six of her gallant sons with their brave Cap-
tain, Levi Spaulding, were under British fire and doing fatal
work against their country's would-be oppressors, on memorable
Bunker Hill. They were with the rear guard of the retreating
Americans, like a fiery wall between them and their British
pursuers. One of them, David Carlton, was mortally wounded
and carried off the field by his brother-in-law, John Johnson, and
on the second day after the battle, died. Another, Jacob Well-
man, was reported as mortally wounded, but recovered, and later
became Captain, serving his country faithfully, and becoming a
prominent man in the town.

June 19, 1775. — The meeting was held and officers were
chosen according to the notification, and the town voted to sell
school lot No. 126, " provided they can have the money down
for it," and William Carson, James Boutwell and Amos Whitte-
more were chosen a committee to effect the sale.

Among the provisions ordered for the town, were forty hogs-
heads of salt, five of molasses, and one of rum. The citizens
were evidently moderate drinkers, not sots.

On the 2ist of November, 1775, the committee entrusted with
the sale of the school lot reported that they had " sold the same
to Mr. John Clark for the sum of 67/", 10 Shillings," and had
taken security oi him, and were answerable for the same.

December ist, 1775, at the town meeting, the question arose
whether they would ' ' join with Wilton in sending a Deligate to

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 153

Exator," or send independently, which they viewed as their
right. It was decided in the negative, because they were un-
willing to renounce their "birthright and privileges."

February 29, 1776, the town voted to request the appointment
of Andrew Fuller a Justice of the Peace and Joseph Herrick as
Coroner.

That Andrew Fuller was not an unfit man for the office may
appear from an incident, which in our day, may seem trivial. In
his effort to enforce the statute againt profanity, he aimed to be
honest and impartial. And once when he found himself a
violator of it, he made out the regular papers in such cases, and
imposed and paid the usual penalty of one dollar for the offense.

July II, 1776. — A meeting was held to see what means the
town will take to raise their quota of men to go to " Cannidy."
They voted that the men who were most able to hire should
couple together and hire men until the number required was
raised.

In October, 1776, the people anticipating an alarm soon, on
Sunday, the 27th, after service, gave notice of a meeting on
Monday, October 28, at which they voted to purchase a barrel
of powder, and appointed Mr. Joseph Herrick to provide it, and
empowered the Selectmen to hire monej' for the same.

November 9, 1776. — Mr. Herrick informed the people that he
had provided the powder as above, and as he is going to the
" Westward Army " next Tuesday, he determines to carry the
powder to the Training tomorrow for the town's acceptance.

A meeting called in the same manner as the preceding one
was held November 11, 1776, at which Capt. John Stephenson
was chosen as agent to consult with other agents at Dracut,
Mass., in connection with merchants and farmers. At this
meeting Mr. James Boutwell was chosen custodian of the town's
stock of ammunition.

Tuesday, the 26th of November, the town voted to unite
with Wilton, Duxbury School Farm and Mile Slip in the choice
of a Deputy.

The annual meeting for this year (1777) gave attention to the
usual routine work. But on the 8th of April a meeting con-
vened with Capt. Levi Spaulding as moderator, at which a vote
passed to give each man yet to be raised to make up the six-
teen that are called for, one hundred dollars, with interest
until it is paid. At the same meeting they voted to divide the

1 54 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

town into school districts, and appointed a committee for the
purpose.

In a meeting held May 6th, 1777, a committee of five men was
chosen to appraise and settle the turns done in the war from the
19th of April, 1775, to the present time, and Capt. Nathaniel
Batchelder, Lieut. Reuben Spaulding, Deacon David Badger,
Dr. Benjamin Jones and Mr. Joseph Herrick were the com-
mittee. One hundred dollars bounty was voted to the sixteen
men that have enlisted or shall enlist from this town, " except
Joseph Wilson and Thomas Grush who have received hire from
particular men."

Monday, December ist, 1777. — The town voted to set every
month's turn of service for the colonies in the present war at
twenty shillings. A protest was entered against this vote, and
the like, stating, " Such votes are to us unreasonable," as they
give ' ' money out of our pockets to men that was hired by per-
sons out of this town to do a turn for them ; therefore we protest
we will pay none of such moneys.

L,yndeborough, January 12, 1778.

Signed,

Philip Fletcher John Kidder

Joseph Herrick Joshua Hadley

Benjamin Jones Andrew Fuller

Samuel Huston John Savage

Joseph Batchelder John Raynolds

Robert Badger Reuben Spaulding

Aaron Lewis Isaac Day

Eleazer Woodard Daniel Gould

David Badger Nathaniel Phelps

Edmund Bickford William Barron

Nathaniel Batchelder Benjamin Punchard

Reuben Batchelder

Attest pr. Peter Clark, T. Clerk."

Though an effort was made to have the votes passed Dec. i,

1777, reconsidered and disannuled, the town at subsequent
meetings on Jan, 12 and Feb. 9, 1778, refused to reconsider, dis-
annul, alter or amend them. At the last mentioned meeting,
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, from Congress,
were read, and the town voted its approbation of them.

Annual meeting and usual election of town oflScers Mar. 10,

1778. But on Mar. 26, 1778,* the town voted to procure and

•T. Records, II.. p. 43.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR !55

pa)' a man to take Asa Boutwell's place in the army; and Capt.
Peter Clark was chosen agent to hire the man. Samuel Barron
of Amherst was hired, and performed the service ; but when
tendered 105 £, the stipulated sum, he refused it, because the
currency had, in the meantime, so depreciated that it failed to
fulfil the contract.* This tender was made early in 1780, and
under date of November 15 of that year, the following note was
addressed,

To the Town of L,yndeborough.
Gentlemen.

I hereby acquaint you that I have offered the
nominall sum of money that I agreed to pay Samuel Barrons in
Behalf of the Town as a Reward for his taking Asa Boutwell's
place in the army, and he refuses to take the same. Therefore,
I desire you would furnish me with money sufficient to pay him
the said Barron, Forty for one, agreeable to the depreciating
act. Peter Clark.

Ivyndeborough, Nov. 15, 1780.

A true copy att. Pr. Benj" Jones }> T. Clerk. t

At the annual meeting Mar. 13, 1781, the town voted, "to
raise money to enable Maj. Clark to fulfil his agreement with
Samuel Barron, according to the Depreciation Act." +

At a town meeting May 4, 1778, Nehemiah Rand, Esq., was
chosen to represent the town at a convention to be held in Con-
cord, on the loth day of June next, for the purpose of forming a
plan of government for this State. Voted, also, to add one hun-
dred pounds, ly. M. to Mr. Goodridge's stated salary for this
present year. ||

This seems to have been a generous addition, in view of all
the other burdensome expense of war times.

The people in general were beginning to feel.very sensibly the
effects of carrying on the war. Prominent among these effects
were the depreciation of their currency and the scarcity of the
common necessaries of life. The latter result was regarded as
the work of monopolists, which then unduly raised the prices of
meats as well as of farm products and merchandise, even as they
do today. Then there were the financial stringency consequent
upon the vast expenditures needed to prosecute a war, and the
insatiable greed of brokers and money changers to add to the
many other distresses of the situation.

*T. Records, II., p. 44. fib.. P- 48.

X T. Records, II, p. 90, gthly. || T. Records, II, p. 50,

156 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

In an effort to relieve the pressing burdens, a convention was
called to consider the best means of amelioration. The conven-
tion was held at Concord, Sept. 22, 1779, at 10 o'clock A.M.,
and Nehemiah Rand was sent as delegate from this town,
chosen Aug. 30, previous. At i o'clock P.M. on the same day,
the town voted to accept the plan of government. An Order had
been received from the general court to present reasons, if any
existed, why " Parsons' Corner," so called, should not be set
off and joined with Duxbury School Farm and a part of the
Mile Slip, to form a new town. They opposed the measure, and
appointed Deacon Cram, Capt. I,evi Spaulding and Deacon
Badger to oppose it in the lyegislature.*

The reasons presented by this committee are printed in
full in " Bouton's Town Papers," Vol. XII., pp. 519, 520.
They were briefly these : In a time when there were only about
forty families in town, the people in the southeast corner, being
more compactly located, were the strongest advocates for plac-
ing our meeting-house where it now stands, much nearer the
east than the west side. The building was erected at an ex-
pense from which the people, even yet, have hardly recovered.
And now these petitioners seek to free themselves wholly from
the responsibility incurred, and roll it more oppressively on the
rest of the town. Moreover, a mountain crosses the north part
of our town, running from east to southwest, beyond which the
land is already filling up with new inhabitants, who are likely
to be formed into a town by themselves at no very distant da5^
We can not expect to retain them because of the mountain bar-
rier. In closing, the committee said, " If the Prayer of the
Aforesaid Petitioners Should be Granted and the Land therein
Mentioned be set off. And in Process of Time the west Part of
the Town likewise It will leave a Poor Parish indeed such an
One as Cannot by any means Support the Gospel and Other
Necessary Charges."

" We therefore Submit these Considerations to Your Hon"
Wisdom to Do therein as to Justice Shall Appertain And as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray."

Levi Spaulding '\

Benjamin Cram \ Committee.

David Badger 3

[The project did not succeed. — Ed.]

In compliance with an address issued by the fore-mentioned

^Parsons' Cor. Defection.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 157

Concord convention of Sept. 27, 1779, to the several towns of the
colony, a committee of nineneen men was appointed by our
town, " to set a value " upon the necessaries of life, and to note
any violation of the agreement fixed upon by the committee,
acting under the instruction of the convention. The members
of that committee were men of high standing, heads of fam-
ilies from all parts of the town, whose character and judgment
would have great weight and influence. Their names follow :*
Peter Clark Daniel Gould

Jeremiah Carlton Nathaniel Phelps

Thomas Parsons Capt. Wm, Barrons

Nehemiah Rand Samuel McMaster

Nathaniel Batchelder Deacon Putnam

Jacob Wellman Amos Whittemore

David Badger Nathan Parsons

Josiah Woodbury Jacob Cram

John Raynolds Jonathan Parsons

Joseph Herrick

At a legal meeting the nth of October, 1779,

1. Voted to accept the report of this committee and

2. Voted " that this committee be continued, and follow the
direction of the Convention in all respects for the appreciating
our paper currency."

At the regular annual meeting, March 9, 1779, the sixth
article to consider was the insufficiency of the pastor's salary,
in view of the depreciated currency. The response to this
matter was cordial, and it was voted to pay Rev. Sewall Good-
ridge ^750, Iv. M., including his stated salary for the year, " in
corn, rye, wool, flax, pork, beef, or labor, at the price such
articles used to be sold for in the year 1774."

The town, Aug. 3, 1779, was requested to act on three arti-
cles presented in a petition which had been sent to the select-
men, signed by a number of persons.*

Article i. To hear the complaint of any aggrieved person,
and allow every one liberty to stand or sit, during the singing
in public worship ;

Article 2. To see if the church and congregation may intro-
duce Dr. Watts' version of the psalms and hymns into the
public worship ; and

Article 3. To see if the town will grant the " Choreesters''
(choir ? ) any particular seat or seats in the meeting-house.

*T. R., II, p. 60. t Vol. II, T. R., pp. 57, 58-

158 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Tlie petition was granted, and permission was given to intro-
duce said "psalms and hymns" upon trial for three months;
and also voted four men's seats and three women's seats below
in the meeting-house to accommodate the singers.

Feb. 3, 1780, the citizens were requested to state whether
they were willing that Joshua Atherton Esq. might plead law
in the county for anj- who wished to employ him. On March
28 following, the town unanimously voted their disapprobation
of Mr. Atherton's pleading law.

At the same meeting, they voted to allow Mr. Nehemiah
Rand's account for attending the conventions at Concord and
Exeter for forming a plan of government, and supporting the
credit of the currency for the years 1778 and 1779 ; (viz.) the
quantity of 22 bushels and 3 pecks of corn, or money to pur-
chase the same. Voted, also to allow thirty dollars for a day's
work, previously hired at 3 shillings.*

The town voted April 17, 1780, to choose a committee to
report to the committee of claims sitting at Exeter, the amounts
of money, certified b)' oath, that had been " paid to or ex-
pended on the Continental soldiers or their families since the
year 1777."+ Committee, Major Clark, Deacon Putnam, Jere-
miah Carlton, Capt. Wellman and Esqr. Fuller.

The surrounding towns have all sought, and profited by
securing portions of Lyndeborough territory.* In 1780, a peti-
tion was sent to the General Court by several inhabitants of
this town and of the northwest part of Amherst, praying that
a half mile of the east side of this town be annexed to the
northwest part of the town of Amherst, and formed into a new
town. The Legislature gave the town the usual notice, to show
cause why the petition should not be granted. The town at a
legal meeting, held Sept. 28, 1780, chose Deacon Badger, Capt.
Barron, and Capt. Spaulding to present a remonstrance to the
Legislature against the aim of the petitioners, and the project
for the time at least was defeated.

Jan. 29, 1 78 1, the'town chose a committee consisting of Capt.
Jonas Kidder, Lieut. Amos Whittemore and Ensign John
Savage, to make an average of what every man had done in
town toward the war, since its commencement. t The average
was made month for month, according to the time spent in the
army. A bounty of forty shillings per month was paid them

*T. R. I, p. 90, II, p. 66, 5thly. JT. Records II, p, 73.

t T. Records II, pp. 68 and 69. II T. Records II, p. 8a.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 159

for service done in the army. But citizens of this town were
not to receive anything for service rendered for other towns,
unless such service was properly certified, or proof of it was
furnished by two reliable witnesses.

Another committee was chosen at the same meeting, consist-
ing of Capt. Barron, Mr. Amos Persons, and Mr. Eleazar
Woodward, and the commissioned officers, to raise and enlist
the quota of men for the town.*

Feb. 20, 1781. At a legal meeting, Capt. Spaulding, Modera-
tor, " Voted to accept the agreement which the committee
has made with the men who engaged to serve in the Conti-
nental Army for the term of three years. "t The committee
was authorized to give notes on the behalf of the town, which
voted to give each soldier that enlisted in the Continental Army
for three years a thousand dollars paper money, to be deducted
out of their hire in proportion to the agreement. The agree-
ment was that each soldier was to receive one-third of his wages
or bounty, at the end of each year, which was secured to him
by notes, given on behalf of the town. The selectmen were
authorized to assess the money on the town.

THE soldier's AGREEMENT FOR THE YEAR 1781.+

We the Subscribers, for and in consideration of Eight Dollars
per month, to be paid in Indian corn at three shillings per
bushel, or rye at four shillings per bushel, or money, or quick
stock equal thereto, to be paid to us by the town of Lynde-
borough in three years from the time of our passing muster,
Do voluntarily inlist ourselves to serve in the Continental army
the term of three years from the time we pass muster, and
promise obedience to our officers and submit to the rules and
regulations of the army during the said term.

Further, we agree that if we do not pass muster, the agree-
ment to be void ; and we further agree with Capt. William
Barron and Mr. Amos Persons and Mr. Eleazer Woodward
together with the commissioned officers, a committee chosen by
the town to hire our proportion of Continental men to take one
thousand paper dollars and Reduct it out of the above sum,
agreeable to the price of Grain in paper money.
Lyndeborough Feb. i 1781.

John Putnam Samuel Punchard Jr.

Moses Ordway Edward Spaulding

t T. Records U, p. 82. f T, Records II, p. 84. JT. Records II, p. 85.

160 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Israel Hails, During war. Luther Smith
A true Copp}' Att. per. Benj" Jones \ Town Clerk

At a legal meeting held May 15, rySi, Maj. Peter Clark was
chosen to represent the town in the convention called to meet at
Concord, the first Tuesday of June next.*

Jul}' 10, the town voted, that constables shall not receive any
of the old continental money for the town rates of those who
are behind in their lists ; but that they receive the new emis-
sion in lieu thereof, at the rate of one dollar for forty of the old.
Voted further, that the Treasurer shall not receive any of the
old money after the 12th day of July, 1781.

The purchase of beef for the army was a matter of great
importance in the Revolutionary War, as well as in the late war
with Spain. This town was expected and required to furnish
its share of the commodity or of money to buy it elsewhere.
On the 15th of August, 1781, the town voted to raise " Two
Hundred and Fifty Pound, Lawful Money in silver, to purchase
army beef for this year."t

On the 19th of October, 1781, the army of Cornwallis sur-
rendered to the American forces at Yorktown, Va. At this
there were great rejoicings all over the land, and well there
might be, for this was the master stroke, the decisive victory of
the war. The fighting, practically, ceased with this battle.
The armies still kept the field to guard danger points. But
gradually the enemy withdrew, and Great Britain, at length,
in Parliament decreed it inconsistent with her interests, any
longer to continue the war. Not till November, 1783, however,
was peace definitely declared ; and then, the American army
disbanded.

The contest thus closed was one of the most remarkable in
the history of the human race ; nor can any believer in an over-
ruling Providence fail to be deeply impressed with the idea that
"the embattled farmers " of our new fledged states were Provi-
dentially aided in the unequal, and as many feared, unavailing
struggle. Our town might be pardoned for cherishing a little
pride in the part taken by her citizens in that successful
achievement. No eulogy can be more eloquent than the facts
and votes chronicled in our town records. I have cited some of
the votes of the town relating to the soldiers. The heroism of
the soldiers themselves may be partly learned from the sketches

* T. Records II, pp. 94 and 95. t T. Records II, page 96.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 161

of the five captains which went from our town with the sub-
ordinate officers and the men in the ranks. These brief biog-
raphies alone would indicate some of the patriotic interest of our
townsmen in their country's freedom. But a record more ex-
tended and particular will not diminish our admiration for our
Revolutionary predecessors.

A special record of individual service, collected by our
worhty long-time Town Clerk, Mr. E. A. Danforth, at the sug-
gestion of Mr. D. C. Grant, strongly seconded by his brother,
W. H. Grant Esq., is of unusual interest, and is largely self-
explanatory.

It is given as presented by our Clerk.

I^YNDEBOROUGH, STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1 776.

An account of those that went in the Service in the year 1776
and of those that Hired them, viz.:

Cap John Stephenson did a whole turn Hired Joseph Elenwood Junr.
12/0.

Mr. John Kidder did a whole turn hired Mr. John Rowe 12/0

Sart. Aaron Lewes did one quarter of a turn

Mr. Nathan Parsons did one quarter of a turn

they hired Mr. John Rynolds and Rynolds did half a turn for himself

Dea'n Ephraim Putnam and Son Ephraim did a whole turn they hired
Nath'l Bachelor.

Esq'r Andrew Fuller did two thirds of a turn

Lieut. Jonas Kidder one third of a turn they hired Samuel Butterfield

Deacon David Badger did half a turn

Mr. Robart Badger did half a turn, they hired Hezekiah Hamblet

Mr. George Goole and son Daniel did a whole turn

they hired Philip Flecher

Cap. William Barons went Did a turn for himself

Sar. Peter Russell did half a turn Mr. Joshua Hadley half a turn
Russel went

Mr. Ruben Bachelor did half a turn Mr. Joseph Bachelor did half a
turn Ruben went.

Mr. William Carson did two thirds of a turn

Mr. Jonathan Chamberlain did one third of a turn

they hired Mr. John Savage and Mr. Sam'l Stephens and each of them
did half a turn for themselves

Mr. John Aordaway did half a turn

Mr. Isaac Day did half a turn Day went

Lieut Sam'l Huston Sarg't Amos Whittemore Simeon Flecher Each did
one third of a turn hired James Burnam

Cap Jonath'n Cram Mr. Solomon Cram Mr. Asael Stiles Each Did one
third of a turn Stiles went

162 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Mr. Ephraim Putnam 3(1 did half a turn
Mr. John Buffe did half a turn Buffe went
Ens'n Nathaniel Phelps did two thirds of a turn

Mr. Jeremiah Carleton did one third of a turn they hired Mr. John
Carcan.

The above persons went to Ticonderoga passed muster July
22 and continued in the Service until the first of December

Those that inlisted to clear out the Road to St. Johns are as
follows, (viz)

David Putnam Hezekiah Duncle 3 months

Ebenezer Denten* 3 months & Yz Nathan Cram home sick inlisted

June the 3 for three months

The following is an account of men that enlisted to go to new
yorkt and passed muster September 26 1776 and continued in
the Service until the first of December each went for himself
only nameley

Ithamar Woodard Amos Whittemore

Josiah Woodbery Jun'r Asa Button

Nathaniel Woodbery Ezra Button

Benj'n Senter Joseph Willkens

Ebenezer Gardner Nicklus Beesom

Hezekiah Buncle went in the Room of Jesse Putnam

and Received two BoUars of Put-
nam for the same.

The following men went to new york Inlisted in December
and Continued untill the first of March Namely

Richard Bating Baniel Cram

Andrew Creese Samuel ChambeerJ

Aaron Putnam

An account of those that went upon the Alaram July i 1777

Served 12 Bays the Longest Lieut Sam'l Huston

Sarg't Aaron Lewes
Jeremiah Carleton
Jonathan Chamberlin
Jonathan Chamberlin Jun
John Beesom

William Holt gone 3 Bays
Aaron Putnam
Timothy Parsons

Nehe'h Hutchinson for woodard 3 Days
John Hutchinson
Edward Bavins
Baniel Cram

* Probably hired man of Capt. Clark's.

t White Plains, Oct. 2cS, 1776.

\ Probably Chamberlain ; compare with R. Rolls, I, 537, 538.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

163

John Carkar
Thomas Parsons
Josiah Abbot
Simeon Fletcher
Joseph Batchelder
Ruben Spaulding 9 Days
John Booffe

An account of those men that went to Bennington Engaged
July 21 1777 Continued in the Service two months

Peter Clark
Stephen Burnam
Nathaniel Burnam
Benj'n Osgood
Daniel Herrick
George Parsone
John Meads
Aaron Whittemore
John Hutchinson
Amos Wilkins
John Stiles
Walter Roos
Benj'n Cram Jun'r
Benj'n Dutton
William Holt
David Straton
Ruben Spaulding
Jacob Cram
Edmund Bickford
David Cram

hired Jessa Lund

hired Josiah Blanchard

hired Nehemiah Hutchinson
hired Sam'l Hutchinson

hired Josiah Woodbery Jun'r

hired Ezra Dutton

hired Benj'n tuck Ellingwood

hired Jacob Dutton

hired Tho's Pringle

hired Nathanael Woodbery

hired Hezekiah Duncle

An account of those men that to Saratoge to take Bur-
goine Engaged September 29th 1777 in the Service 26 Days

David Putnam
John Smith
Simeon Fletcher Jun'r
Hezekiah Hamblet
Timothy Parson
James Burnam

Thomas Parsons hired Edw'd Bavins
Joshua Balch hired Andrew Creese

An account of those men that went to RhoadisJand August 6
1778 Engaged

Wm L,ee Daniel Gould

Jonas Kidder Daniel Cram

Ruben Spaulding John Kidder Jun'r

Joseph Herrick Nicholas Beasou went for Lt Buffe

Francis Epes Timothy Parsons

Edward Bavins Samuel Hutchinson

Peter Clark

Joseph Ellingwood

Sam'l Punchard

James Punchard hired Skerrey

Joseph Herrick

Francis Epes

Jonathan Chamberlin Jun'r

Daniel Cram

164

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Nathan Parsons Robart Badger

Adam Johnson Jun'r Jacob Cram hired Jessa Lund

July 1778
Jacob Button went Six months to Rhoad Island half the time for
Eleazer Woodard and the other half for Moses Stiles Jun'r and Uriah
Cram.

an account of those men that procured four men for the Con-
tinental Army for one year July 15 1777

months

Deacon Badger

Deacon Putnam

hired

Lieut R Spaulding

Joshua Hadley

John

John Ordway

William Holt

Purple

Ephraim Putnam Second

Solomon Cram

for one

Andrew Fuller

Benj'n Killam

year

Jonas Kidder

Capt John Stephenson

John Kidder

Sam'l Punchard

hired

Dr. Jones

Josiah Abbot

Nath'l Ravnolds

Isaac

John Carkin

Samuel Hutchinson

John Case

Carkin

Jonathan Chamberlin

Lieut Huston

James Punchard

Ensign Phelps

hired

Sam'l Towns

Adam Johnson

Israel

Adam Johnson, Jun'r

Daniel Gould

Hutchinson

Thomas Richardson

Benj'n Punchard

Jonathan Whittemore

hired

Cap Cram

David Cram

John Archer

William

Joseph Ellingwood

vStepheu Burnam

Joshua Stiles

Burnam

John Thompson

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

165

hired John Woodbery

hired John Mellen

Those that hired two men to go to Rhoad Island for six
months are.

months

John Clark 2

Benj'n Bullock 2

Sam'l Whittemore 2

Will'm Blaenough 2

Moses Lever 2

John Woodard 2

Those men that Engaged to go to Portsmouth for two months
from September 5, 1779 were
John Archer Nath'l Burnam

Jonas Kidder Samuel Hutcherson hired Stephen Ritcherson

account of thos men that Enlisted to go to Cohos in the Ser-
vice Six weeks march 1780

Dea John Putnam William Carson

Peter Russell Enock Ordway

an account of those that hired men for Six months in the Con-
tinental army

Ens John Savag
Daniel herrick
James Burnam

m
I

I
I

Joseph herrick
Ephraim Abbot
Edmand bigford

I
I
I

Eleazer Woodard
David Straton
John Stiles

I
I

Doct Jones
Moses Stils jur

I
I

Jonathan Pearson jur
Thomas Pearson
Jacob Cram

I
I
I

Jonathan Chamberlin jur
Jeremiah Carlton

I
2

Daniel Gould
hezekiah Duntley
Johnathan Whitemore

Walter Ross
William Punchard
Uriah Cram

William Mcadams
Robert Mcadams
William Mcadams

2
I

Benjamin Burros
Hugh Mcadams

July ye 4 1780
an account of those that hired men for three months to go to
westpoint July 4 ye 1780

Jonas Kidder

Cap' John Stephenson
Edward Spauldiug
Lieu' Reuben Spaulding

Robert Badger
Jonathan Chamberlin

Deacon Badger
John Ordway
Joel manuel

166 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Decon Putnam i

Ephraim Putnam jur i

Daniel Cram i

John Kidder 2

Benjamin Button I

Benjamin Punchard i

Aaron L,ewes I

James Punchard I

Adam Johnson i

David Cram i

Thomas Richardson i

Ens Nath'l Phelps 2

Samuel towns i

Joshua Hadley i^

Nathan Pearson i

John Meeds \

Lieut Huston i

Lieut Whitemore i

Philip Fletcher i

an acount of tlioes that went to the westward for three months
in the year 1781

Simeon Fletcher went and did one month for him Self.

Edmand Bickford Benja Osgood Jonathan Whitemore and Ezekiah
Duntley Each of them Did a fortnit

William Holt Did two months

Peter Russel Did one furtnit

William Tayler did one furtnit

an aCount of those that hired William I^ee to go to Cohoss
July 12 1782

John Ordway Did two months

William Holt jur Did one month

Stephen Burnam Ephraim Abbot Joseph Elenwood William Tayler
Each of them Did a fortnit

Return of Soldiers bountjes Made to the Committe on Claims in the
year 1788 is /75i:i3:ii

lyYNDEBOROUGH, N. H,, March 9th, T892
I hereby certify that I have carefully compared the foregoing
copy with the original record thereof, now remaining in my
ofl&ce, and that the same is a true and correct copy and tran-
script thereof, and of the whole thereof.

Edgar A. Danforth,

Town Clerk of the
Town of lyyndeborough.

lyYNDEBOROUGH, Decemb'r ye 25, 1777
To the Gentelmen Selectmen For the Town of I^ynd'h per-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

167

sewing to a Vote of this Town for the Committy making an
Everidge in the proportion of the war for this Town from April
20, 1775 to May 1777 the following is our Sentiments Con-
sidering the places of the Destination of those persons that
Have Served in the war Now Belonging to this Town.

the preceeding Sums annexed to Every man's Name is in
Lawful mony.

Those persons that went to the Alarm and Returned with
lyieut Barron the Committee have Allowed each man ^0:10:0

the following is the Names of those persons that returned
with

/■o:io:o
Lieut. Barron
Jolin Reynolds
John Savage
Samuel Stephens
Peter Russell
Philip Fletcher
Nath" Burnam
Joseph Herrick
Adam Johnson, Jur
Daniel Gould

Sum Total ;^9:o8:o

Our Reasons for Seting the Services above is the provision
& Expense was paid By the Town

Those that Engag'' in the Service For the Year 1775 there
Time 8 months at winter Hill the Committee have allow** those
persons that then Engag'' for the 8 months Belonging to this
Town twelve Shillings Each man
;^o:i2:o

Ebenezer Gardner
John Thompson
And* Thompson
Reuben Batcheldr
Amos Whittemore
John Catkin
Nath" Phelps
Edward Bevings
Lieut Spaulding

Capt Spaulding
Lt. Thomas Boffe
Ensign Will"' Lee
Joseph Ellenwood Jur
Jese Lund

Nehemiah Hutchinson
Samuel Macmaster
Nath" Batcheldor
Jacob Button
Ezra Button

Our Reasons for Sitting the Service at winter Hill at this
Value is None Gave more that Hird others to Do there Turn

Those that Engag'' in the Ser\dce For the Year 1776 that
went to from winter Hill to York and there Tarry'' through out

Edward Beving Jur
John Smith
Jacob Wellman Jur
Elisha Winkings
Baniel Cram 5 months
John Hutchinson
David putnam
Benj* Bevings
phineas Barker

168

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

the Campaign the Coramitte Allow'' those men one pound p"^

Month

;^i:o:o
Adam Johnson jur Alias Thorn" pringle

John Johnson Edward Bevings jur

Those that Engag** For the year 1776 that went from winter
Hill to Canada and Concluded the Same Back to Trenton the
Committe allow'' those persons one pound twelve shillings p'^
month

/i:i2:o
Cap' Spawlding Nehemiah Hutchison

Lieut Thorn. Boffe Samuel Stiles

Ensign Will™ Lee John Woodbury

Jacob Button James Cambell

Those that Engage'' in the Year 1776 and went to Tyconde-
rogue 4 months and Ten Days and have allow'' Every man
what he paid towards the 4 months and Ten Days those that
went for themselves have allow** the same

/i2:o:o

Cap' Barron / 12:0:0

Cap' John Stevenson Ditto

John Kidder Ditto

John Reynolds 6:0:0

Aaron Lewis Z-O-o

Nathan Persons 3:0:0

Deac" putnam 6:0:0

Deac" putnam jur 4:0:0

David Badger 5:6:0

Robert Badger 5:6:6

Gorge Goold 6:0:0

Daniel Goold 6:0:0

Rewben Batcheldor 6:0:8

Joseph Batcheldor 6:0:0

peter Russell 5:6:8

Joshua Hadley 6:13:4

William Carson 6:0:0

Sum Total

John Savage >^6:o:o

Esq' Fuller 7:4:0

Lieut. Kidder 3:12:0

John Ordway 6:0:0

Isaac Day 6:0.0

Lieut. Hueston 4:0:0

Amos Whittemore 4:0:0

Simeon Fletcher 4:0:0

Cap' Cram 4:0:0

Solomon Cram 4:0:0

Asael Stiles 4:0:0
Ephraim Putnam ye 3*^ 6:0:0

John Boffe 6:0:0

Samuel Stephens 6.0:0
Jonathan Chamberlain 4:0:0

Ens, Phelps 6:0:0

Jeremiah Carlton 3:0:0

^189:9:0
3:0:0

^186:9:0

those men that Engag** in the Service for the Year 1776 in
September & went to New York have Allow'* 1 8/0 p' month For
Each man

Nathaniel Woodbury Ithamar Woodard

Josiah Woodbury Jur Amos Whittemore

Ebenezer Gardner Ezra Dutton

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 169

Benj* Senter . Joseph Willkings Jur

Epes By Dunckly Jesse Putnam

Aasa Button

Those men that went in the Service to Fishkill in the year
1777 there Time 3 months have allow'' Each man 15/0 p"" month

Samuel Chamberlain Daniel Cram

Richard Badden Aaron Putnam

And^ Creasy

Those that went to Coos to Clear the Roads to St. Johns,
have Allow'* Each man 15/0 p' month

^^0:15:0

David Putnam Nathan Cram

Hezekiah Dunckly Cap* Clark's man

This May Certify the Selectmen and others that the Services
of And^^ Thompson James Thompson Jesse Lund John Well-
man and William Blany For the year 1776 was Done for persons
in Other Towns who Hir'* them therefore we the Committy
think that they ought Not to Be Allow'' any thing By the
Town for there Services in as much as the Town was Depriv**
of the Service of those men.

these may Certify the Town that we are Not Satisfied what
allowance may Be Just to allow Adam Johnson in Regard of
Hiring James Johnson Benj"^ Jones in Regard of hiring John
Hutchinson and Isaac Kidder in Regard of Hiring Benj* Dike

Nath" Batcheldor\

David Badger

Reuben Spalding) Committe

Joseph Herrick

Benj^ Jones y 2d

lyYNDEBOROUGH, N. H., March 9, 1892.
I hereby certify that I have carefully compared the foregoing
copy with the original record thereof, now remaining in my
office, and that the same is a true and correct copy and tran-
scrip thereof and of the whole thereof.

Edgar A. Danforth,

Town Clerk of the

Town of Lyndeborough.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOI^UTION.

The Constitution of the National Society states in Article III,
Sect. I : " Any man shall be eligible to membership in this So-
ciety, who, being of the age of twenty-oue years or over, and a

170 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

citizen of good repute in the community, is the lineal descend-
ant of an ancestor who was at all times unfailing in his loj'alty
to and rendered actual service in the cause of American Inde-
pendence, either as an ofhcer, soldier, seaman, marine, militia-
man or minuteman, in the armed forces of the Continental Con-
gress ; or of any one of the several Colonies or States ; or as a
Signer of the Declaration of Independence ; or as a member of
a Committee of Safety or Correspondence ; or as a member of
any Continental, Provincial or Colonial Congress or L,egislature ;
or as a civil officer, either of one of the Colonies or States or of
the national government ; or as a recognized patriot who per-
formed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority
of Great Britain." Copied from the " Year Book of the Minne-
sota Society, Sons of the American Revolution," p. 39.

LYNDEBOROUGH REVOLUTIONARY ROLL.

Lyndeborough had the military honor of furnishing five cap-
tains in the War for Independence. Their names were William
Barron, Peter Clark, Jonas Kidder, William L,ee and I^evi
Spaulding. Some of these did service in more than one cam-
paign, and for the sake of both brevity andj convenience, the
service will be indicated as follows : Capt. Spaulding's men at
Bunker Hill and Winter Hill will be indicated respectively by
the capitals, B. H. and W. H.; Capt. Clark's men, on the
Alarm at Bennington and at Saratoga will be marked A., B. and
S.; Captain Barron's men marched for Canada and served at
Ticonderoga, indicated by C. or Ti.; Captain I^ee's men served,
as indicated, in R. I.; Captain Kidder's men, raised for service
at West Point in 1780, will be marked as W. P.

Special sketches of the captains are given, and the rank of
the men serving under them will be stated, so far as obtainable.

The statements here made are based on the records of our
town (see preceding pages, 161 to 169) and also on the Revolu-
tionary Rolls of New Hampshire which are printed as state
paper§.

1. Abbott, Kphraim. Our town records state that Ephraim
Abbott paid a month's hire or bounty for a man to serve in the
Continental Army ; and also in the " account of those that hired
William L,ee to go to Cohoss," he is said to have done "a
fortnit."

2. Abbott, Josiah. The home of Josiah Abbott seems to
have been in the northwest part of the town, which was after-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 171

wards set off to form the town of Greenfield. He served under
Capt. Peter Clark, on the A. He was also at Portsmouth, Sept.
27, 1779. He likewise paid one month's bounty toward Isaac
Carkin, who served a year in the Continental Army. He was,
likely, a relative of the preceding Ephraim. Peterboro History,
p. 5, of family registers, has a favorable sketch of his son
Daniel, a native of Lyndeborough.

3. Archer, John. The name of John Archer appears in our
town records under date of 1776. He is called Capt. Archer,
and is named as owning land on a road laid out from James to
Nathaniel Burnam's, who were settled in the northwest part of
the town. He paid one month's wages or bounty, towards
William Burnam, for serving a year in the Continental Army.

He also engaged and served two months at Portsmouth in

1779. The name John Archer is given as one who owned an
original right in Salem-Canada, who was drawn for in the first
draft for lots by Jonathan Verry, and in the second draft by
Captain Bowers. There is no impossibility that he was the
same man, but, also, there is no certainty in the case.

4 and 5. Badger, David and Robert. They were sons of
John Badger, the first settler in that part of Salem-Canada which
was taken to form Township No. 2 (now Wilton).

Deacon David Badger, as the name is frequently written in
our town records, lived on the place now occupied by Mr.
James Karr, north of the pond named for him, Badger Pond.
The brothers united in hiring Hezekiah Hamblet to serve in
Capt. Barron's Co. at Ti. The Deacon, also, paid one month's
hire of John Purple, to serve in the Continental Army a year for
Lyndeborough ; and also a month for a man to go to W. P. in

1780. He was deacon of the Congregational church, and was
the moderator of the annual town meeting in the years 1775 and
1776. He was a prominent actor in the town business, and is
said to have brought up a large family. He was chosen select-
man in 1780, and served from time to time in the various offices
and committees of the town.

5. Badger, Robert. Robert Badger was a brother of David,
and joined with him in hiring Hezekiah Hamblet to do a turn
of army service in Capt. William Barron's Co. at Ti. in 1776, —
time of service, four months, ten days. He was a corporal in
Capt. William Lee's Co., and went to R. I. in 1778. He paid
one and one-half months' bounty for a man to go to W. P. in
1780. He was frequently honored by his townsmen with official
position and various duties, and proved worthy of their confi-
dence and esteem.

His home was on the place now owned by Mr. Harry Rich-
ardson, near the summit of Iy3'ndeborough mountain.

6. Barker, Phineas. Phineas Barker was one of Capt. Levi

172 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Spaiilding's Co. in the famous battle of B. H. He was also
with Capt. S. in the W. H. campaign in 1776, serving eight
months. His home seems to have been toward the west side of
the town, probably on land at a later day set off to form the
town of Greenfield.

7. Barnum, James. James Barnura was a soldier in Capt.
Barron's Co., raised for Canada, out of Col. Daniel Moore's
Regt., mustered and paid by Moses Kelly Esq., July 22,
1776. He seems to have lived in the northwest part of the
town, a part which furnished many revolutionary men for its
size.

8. Barron, Capt. William. See sketch of Capt. William
Barron. He was one of seven brothers, all of whom served in
the Revolution.

9. Barron, Samuel. Samuel Barron was a resident of
Amherst, and took the place of Asa Boutwell in the army. He
was hired by Capt. Peter Clark, and for a fuller account of
him, see sketch of Capt. Clark. Samuel Barron entered May
I, 1778; and was discharged May 20, 1780. (See Asa Bout-
well No. 24.)

10. Batchelder, Joseph. Joseph Batchelder served at Ti.
through Reuben, who went there under Capt. William Barron.
He marched with Capt. Clark on the A., July i, 1777. When
the Greenfield church was constituted, he became one of its
members, and this would seem to show that he lived near
Greenfield.

11. Batchelder, Nathaniel. Capt. Nathaniel Batchelder
appears first as a private in Capt. Spaulding's Co. He was at
B. H. and continued in the campaign at W. H. 1775-6. He
served for awhile in 1776, as a substitute for Deacon Ephraim
Putnam and his son Ephraim. April 8, 1777, he was one of
the five men appointed to raise a bounty of one hundred dol-
lars for each man of the sixteen then required to make up the
quota. May i, 1777, a road was laid out between his house
and that of Josiah Woodbury. Jan. 12, 1778, he signed a pro-
test against overpaying soldiers, and in 1780, he was chosen
selectman. On May 6, 1777, he was appointed chairman of an
important committee chosen to set a value upon the various
turns of service done in the several campaigns by the soldiers
of Eyndeborough. He was a prominent man in the town,
holding official position from the commencement of the war till
after its close. He is repeatedly called Capt. in our town
records ; but no roll has been found of men whom he com-
manded in the Revolutionary War. There were several of the
same name in the army, and care should be taken to distin-
guish him from the others. He served for lyyndeborough in
the Continental Army in 1780. After 1785 the name ceases
from our records.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 173

12. Batchelder, Reuben. Reuben and Joseph Batchelder
furnished a "turn" of military service in 1776, the former
rendering the actual service, and the latter paying his portion
of the wages or bounty.

Reuben went under Capt. William Barron to Ti., having
passed muster July 22, and served till Dec. i. He returned
with Capt. Barron.

The names of Joseph, Nathaniel and Reuben Batchelder are
signed to the protest presented in January, 1778, against the
town's voting money away for bounties to men who served for,
and were paid by other towns. The objection was that the
town ought not to pay bounties for services which it did not
receive.

13. Batten, Richard. Richard Batten was one of the men
raised and " mustered by Col. Daniel Moor Out of his Regi-
ment, to March to New York Agi'eeable to a late requisition
the 19th. Day of Dec'. 1776." He served at Fishkill in 1777,
time 3 mos. and received from the town 15 shillings per month
bounty. Richard Batten was among the gifts of Lyndeborough
to Francestown in 1792. He married Mary, dau. of Nehemiah
Rand Esq. of lyyndeborough. His daughter, Mary Batten,
b. May 29, 1788, married Amasa Downes of Francestown, Feb.
13, 1 8 10, and died at Francestown Aug. 22, 18 17. The same
authority states, that "like his father," he was "a seafaring
man," and when "first mate of a ship, in a night of fearful
storm, was blown from the rigging while heroically trying to
perform what the terrified seamen had shrunk from attempting."

14. Beasom, John. John Beasom was the son of Philip
Beasom who came from Marblehead, Mass., to Lyndeborough
about 1775. He marched with Capt. Peter Clark on the A.
He married Persis Fletcher, March 11, 1779. He lived on the
place now occupied by Mr. Samuel Doliver, his great grandson.

15. Beasom, Nicholas. Nicholas Beasom according to the
R. Rolls of New Hampshire, Vol. I, p. 425, went to N. Y. in
Capt. McConnell's Regt., Sept. 26, 1776. Our town record
states that ' ' he went in the room of Jesse Putnam, and received
two Dollars of Putnam for the same." The dates of our
record and the R. Rolls above cited, agree. He was probably
a brother of John. He went to R. I. in 1778 as substitute for

Lt. Thomas Boffee.

16. Bevins, Benjamin, Benjamin Bevins was a resident of
Duxbury School Farm which laj- adjoining our town on the
south, running west from its southeast corner. He enlisted
May 3, 1775, as a fifer in Capt. Benjamin Mann's Co. of Col.
James Reed's Regiment. He was serving for Lyndeborough,
in the W. H. detail, for eight months and was paid 12 shillings
a month bounty. He again enlisted in the Continental service
in Capt. Wait's Co. in Col. Cilley's Regt. for three years,

1 74 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

(on page 612 of Vol. I) however he is reckoned in Capt. Scott's
Co. His name appears again, where the amount of deprecia-
tion on his wages was $135.20 ; and he received a bounty also
from the Duxbury School Farm and Mile Slip, previous to
1780, of ^13 9S. and I d.

17. Bevins, Edward. Edward Bevins was in Capt. Wm.
Barron's Co. at Ti. in 1776 from Jul}^ 22 to Dec. i. He was in
Capt. Peter Clark's Co. on the A. and was also with Capt.
Clark, as corporal, in Sept., 1777, having been hired by
Thomas Parsons. He was with Capt. William Lee, in the
R. I. expedition Aug., 1778. He was also in Capt. Jonas
Kidder's Co. in the Continental Army, Col. Nichols' Regt.
at W. P., N. Y., 1780.

18. Bevins, Edward, Jr. Edward Bevins, Jr. was in Capt.
Levi Spaulding's Co., in the Battle of B. H., and also in the
besieging army at W. H. He went from W. H. to New York
in the winter of 1776, and to cite our town record, "tarryed
throughout the Campaign."

The Bevins men all lived near Bevins' Corner, the same
which is now called Perham's Corner, in the southeast part of
the town.

19. Bickford, Edmond. Edmond Bickford is on the town
roll of Capt. Clark's men for B. He hired Nathaniel Wood-
bury as substitute. He paid for one month's service of a man
in the Continential Army, July 4, 1780, and also did two weeks'
service among the 3 months' men who went westward in 1781.
His name does not seem to be recorded on the printed Revolu-
tionary Rolls of New Hampshire ; though he was prominent in
our town affairs.

20. Blanchard, Josiah. Josiah Blanchard served for John
Mead, in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. at B. Though his record is
not extended, it was much to be with Clark and Stark at Ben-
nington.

21. Blaney, William. For his record see the more ex-
tended sketch. Our records tell us that he and some others
served for men of other towns.

22. Boffee, John. John Boffee was one of Capt. William
Barron's Co. at Ti. in 1776. He was also in Capt. Clark's Co.
on A.

23. Boffee, lyieut. Thomas. Lieut. Thomas Boffee was in
Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co. both at B. H. and at W. H. as 2nd
Lt. He went "from W. H. to Canada, and concluded the
same back to Trenton" in the winter of 1776. He also hired
Nicholas Beasom to go to Rhode Island in 1778, as his sub-
stitute.

The Boffees above named were the sons of Melchizedek
Boffee who came from Londonderry and settled on the place

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 175

occupied by the late David C. Grant. He was long a Deacon
of the Congregational Church in Lyndeborough. His son John
is said to have lived on the place now owned by Mr. George
Newton. The Lieut, probably succeeded his father on the D.
C. Grant place, now owned by Mr. Frank Joslin. His grave is
in the south cemetery, under the pines.

24. Boutwell, Asa. The town records of a legal meeting
held Mar. 26, 1778, contain the following entry, " Voted to pro-
cure and pay a man to take Asa Boutwell' s place in the army."
Capt. Peter Clark was chosen the agent to hire the man ; and
the man secured was Samuel Barron of Amherst, who faith-
fully performed the service. (See sketch of Samuel Barron).
Asa was the son of James and Mary Boutwell, and was born Feb.
17, 1 761. He was consequently a little past his seventeenth
birthday at the time that a man was hired to take his place.
At a later day Asa Boutwell personally entered the army in Capt.
Amos Emerson's Co. and Col. Joseph Cilley's Regt. Later
still, both he and Samuel Barron seem to have served in the
same company, the fifth Co. in the first Regt. of the Con-
tinental Army.

25. Boutwell, James. James Boutwell, so far as traced,
did no direct military service in the Revolution. He was the
father of the preceding Asa. He was a member of the Lynde-
borough committee of safety, its chairman and he was also
custodian of the town's stock of ammunition, which at that
day was kept in the meeting-house loft. He was, therefore,
performing duties of great importance to his country's cause,
though not personally in the field. His home was where his
lineal descendant, C. R. Boutwell, lately died.

26. Burnham, James. James Burnham holds high rank
among our Revolutionary soldiers. He was with Capt. Barron
at Ti., hired by Samuel Houston, Amos Whittemore and
Simeon Fletcher. He was with Capt. Clark and assisted in the
capture of Gen. Burgoyne at S., time of service 25 days.
June 28, 1780, he enlisted in the continental service, and in
July, 1780, paid for one month's service of a man in the same
army. He was then 30 years of age, and lived in the north-
west part of the town.

27. Burnham, Nathaniel. The Burnhams seem to have
been brothers and all living in the same part of the town.
Nathaniel was one of Capt. Peter Clark's men at B. He also
engaged to go to Portsmouth for two months from Sept. 5,
1779.

28. Burnham, Stephen. Stephen Burnham was with
Capt. Clark at B. He also paid two months' bounty towards
"William Burnham who enlisted for a year in the Continental
Army. He likewise '' Did a fortnit," as the type record states,
toward hiring William Lee to go to Coos in July, 1782.

1 76 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

29. Burnham, William. William Biiruham was one of the
four men who enlisted for one year each, in the Continental
Army, and whose bounty amounted to ^60 each, or ^240.
This money was raised by subscription, thirty-eight citizens
and minutemen alike, uniting to procure and pay it. See type
record i, pp. 6 and 7. A patriotic record.

30. Butler, Jonathan. Jonathan Butler served first in a
Massachusetts regiment and was in the battle of B. H. On the
retreat from the battle he was taken with cramps, fell out of the
ranks and was left behind. After much suffering he crawled
into a swamp where he was concealed, and later he managed to
rejoin his company.

He came to Lyndeborough in 1777, and Aug. 17, 1778,
married lyois, daughter of John and Tryphena Kidder of this
town. The particulars of his service are given by W. H.
Grant, Esq. thus: "Immediately after the battle of Lexington
he enlisted as a private ; was soon after promoted and served as
an orderly sergeant in Capt. Nathaniel Warner's Co. of Col.
Moses Little's 17th Massachusetts troops, taking part in the
battle of Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston. He marched
with his regiment to New York, served on the Hudson, was
with Washington on his retreat through New Jerse5% and pres-
ent at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He was a promi-
nent citizen of Lyndeborough till his death."

31. Butterfield, Samuel. Samuel Butterfield was one of
Capt. WilHam Barron's Co. who went on the C. expedition in
1776, time of servace four months and ten days. He also
served in Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co. which went to W. P., N.
Y., in 1780. His home was north of the mountain, and near
Francestown, for which town his brother Robert served.

32. Campbell, James. James Campbell enlisted in Capt.
Levi Spaulding's Co., which marched four days after the battle
of Lexington. He was in the battle of B. H., and w^as also at
W. H. From there he went to Canada and returned and took
part in the battle of Trenton, Dec. 25, 1776. He was in the
Continental Army, Capt. Amos Morrill's Co. and Stark's Regt.,
afterward Cilley's, Mar. 7, 1777, and served in the campaign
against Burgoyne.

33. Carkin, Isaac. Isaac Carkin w^as in Capt. Levi Spauld-
ing's Co. at B. H. and also at W. H. He was one of the four
men who were secured by subscription, to serve a 3'ear in the
Continental Army, receiving for the same a bounty of ^60 each.
The term was from July 15, 1777, on. He was in Col. Moses
Kelley's Regt. June 26, 1779 ; he enlisted to remain through
the war. Dec. 27, 1779, he was transferred to Capt. Frye's Co.
From this he was drafted to join Capt. J. Munroe's Co. in Feb-
ruary, 1 781. There is a discrepancy between this latter state-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 177

ment and that made in Rolls 3, p. 511, which states that he died
December, 1781. He doubtless endured hard service and re-
joiced to survive the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Oct.
19, 1781.

34. Carkin, John. John Carkin was in Capt. William Bar-
ron's Co., raised for Canada out of Col. Daniel Moore's Regt.
In that campaign he served for Ensign Nathaniel Phelps and
Mr. Jeremiah Carleton, who united in hiring him. He was in
Capt. Peter Clark's Co., on the A. He also paid one month's
bounty towards Mr. Isaac Carkin 's year in the Continental
Army. The Carkins lived in the ea.stern part of the town.
John and Elizabeth (Cram) Carkin settled on the place owned
by the late Robert Eynch.

35. Carlton, David. David Carlton was one of Capt. Levi
Spaulding's Co., and was mortally wounded at B. H. He was
carried off the ground by his brother-in-law, John Johnson, to a
safe place, and died two days later, June 19, 1775. He was the
first Lyndeborough citizen to die for his country, having fallen
in that memorable battle.

36. Carleton Ebenezer. Ebenezer Carleton was the son of
Jeremiah Carleton of Eyndeborough, who lived on the place
where Mr. Eli C. Curtis now lives. He was a brother of David.
He is credited to Wilton and certainly served for Wilton men.
Wilton history states that he did one-eighth of a turn of service
for Jacob Putnam, one-fourth for Jonathan Burton, and one-
fourth for Capt. Philip Putnam. The Revolutionary Rolls
credit him with one year's service for the last-named gentleman,
"at Boston and Roxbury in 1776," which, however, is ascribed
to Ebenezer Coston by the Wilton historian. Cannot decide
which is wrong.

Such service and his enlistment in Wilton justly accredits him
to that town. As for a time his home and the home of his par-
ents during the Revolution and also the remainder of their lives
was in Eyndeborough, we wrong no one by giving him a place
on our roll of honor.

Ebenezer Carleton enlisted as a private Mar. 21, 1777, in the
Co. of Capt. Isaac Frye, to remain during the war. He was
transferred from that Co. to ' ' his Excellency General Wash-
ington's Guard Jan. I, 1779," one of the six New Hampshire
men who enjoyed that distinction. He so far won the favor of
the General that he offered him a permanent home at Mount
Vernon. This honor, his love for home and kindred moved
him, with great reverence and esteem, however, to decline. At
his departure Mrs. Washington presented him with a fine gold
watch as a token of her appreciation of his service in guarding
her husband. After coming home from this service he settled
in Chester, N. H.

Daniel Webster is reported as having once .said to his son
Fletcher, " I should rather have it said upon my father's tomb-

178 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

stone that he had guarded the person of George Washington,
and was worthy of such a trust, than to have emblazoned upon
it the proudest insignia of heraldry that the world could give."

37. Carleton, Jeremiah. Jeremiah Carleton was the son of
Jeremiah and brother of the fore-named David and Ebenezer.
He was one of Lyndeborough's minutemen, which were ar-
ranged into sections of four men each. Every section sent a
man to the war ; and those who stayed at home were pledged to
care for his farm and family. Mr. Carkin, Mr. Carleton, Mr.
Cram and Mr. Phelps formed one section. Mr. Carkin went to
the war and the rest took care of his family and carried on his
farm. In 1777, Mr. Carleton had just ground his scythe to
commence haying when he received orders to call out the
militia on double quick time. He hung up his scythe and
shouldered his musket. He was with Capt. Peter Clark on the
A. July I, 1777. He acted as their commissary. News came,
however, that they were not immediately needed, so they re-
turned home after only 12 days' service. He and Ensign Phelps
hired Mr. John Carkin in 1776, and at a later day he paid for
two months' service of one of the six months' men in the Conti-
nental Army. He was selectman several times, and Lieut, in
the militia, and a man of marked ability and influence in town.

38. Carleton, Osgood. Osgood Carleton was long a resi-
dent of Lyndeborough, where his parents lived before the days
of the Revolutionary War. A town history of Lyndeborough
which should fail to record his name, and at least some of his
achievements, would be justly chargeable with a conspicuous
oversight. The record of his military' service here appended,
though imperfect, was the best obtainable. It may be found in
Heitman's " Historical Register of Officers of the Continental
Army, 1775-1783-"

"Osgood Carleton (Mass.) Quartermaster of the i6th. Conti-
nental Infantry, i Jan. to 31 Dec. 1776. First Lieut. 15th.
Mass. ist. Jan. 1777; transferred to Invalid Regiment Dec. i,
1778; Regimental Q. M. Sept. 7, 1782, and serv^ed to June
1785. (Died June 1816.)" He was eldest brother of the Carle-
ton's above named. Later information and fuller will be found
in the sketch of his life hereafter given.

39. Carson, William. William Carson was a resident in the
eastern part of our town, a part afterwards annexed to Mont
Vernon. He was represented in the Ti. campaign by his substi-
tute, Mr. John Savage, who was in Capt. William Barron's
Co. He enlisted in 1780 to go to Coos for six months.

40. Case, John. The name of John Case appears on our
town records, marking him as one of Lyndeborough's highway
surveyors for the years 1777, 1778, 1781 and 1783. He is clearly
indicated as one of our citizens, too, in Hammond's "Town
Papers of New Hampshire, Vol. XII, p. 511. These statements
are made because some of the printed authorities credit him to

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 179

the town of Wilton. The diary of Jonathan Burton of Wil-
ton names him as one of Capt. Benjamin Taylor's Co., which
marched from Amherst to join the Continental Army at W. H.,
Dec. 8, 1775. He served in the same Co. at Ti. in 1776. He
also assisted in hiring Mr. Isaac Carkin of Lyndeborough to
serve a year in the Continental Army. He lived in that part of
our town which then adjoined Amherst, and was one of the
original petitioners for the township of Mont Vernon.

John Case married Elizabeth Curtis of Lyndeborough. He
removed from Lyndeborough to Antrim in 1796. He was born
in Middleton, Mass., and served during the whole seven years
of the Revolutionary War. Antrim History saj'S, "he had a
large family and was very poor. His wife drove the cattle daily
into the woods to browse, her only means of keeping them
alive."

41. Cavender, Charles. "Charles Cavender was born in
the county of Wexford, Ireland, 1750; lived in that part of
Lyndeborough now Greenfield, N. H., and died at the same
place May 6, 1833. In May, 1775, he enlisted and served 10
months as private in Capt. George Reed's Co. of Col. John
Stark's regiment, N. H. state troops. He was in the battle
of Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston. In March, 1776, he
again enlisted as a private in the same company and regiment,
serving 13 months and 14 days. He was with his regiment
around New York on the Hudson, at Ticonderoga, in Washing-
ton's retreat through New Jersey, and at the battles of Trenton
and Princeton. At Morristown, Dec. 31, 1776, his enlistment
having expired, he, with his regiment, at the request of Wash-
ington, reenlisted for 60 days, and continued in the service until
the middle of April, 1777.

On the 23rd of July, 1777, he enlisted, and was mustered as
first Corporal in Capt. Peter Clark's Company of Col. Thomas
Stickney's Regiment, Gen. Stark's Brigade, N. H. Militia, or-
ganized to oppose Burgoyne's invasion, and was present and
took part in the battle of Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777. In the
summer of 1778 he again enlisted, and served 6 months as a
private in Capt. James Barry's Company, Mass. Continental
Line ; and again, in the summer of 1781, he enlisted and served
6 months as a private in Capt. David McGregor's Company,
Col. George Reid's Regiment, N. H. Continental Line, and was
placed on the pension roll in 1832." (W. H. Grant, Esq., in
The Minnesota Sons of the American Revolution, p. 219.)

42. Chamberlain, Jonathan. (For family history see Gene-
alogy.) Jonathan Chamberlain appears to have been the first of
that race in Lyndeborough. He was the son of Capt. Samuel
and Abigail (Hill) Chamberlain of Chelmsford, Mass.

May 12, 1737, his father deeded him lots Nos. 5 and 12 in
Tyng's Town, now Pembroke, N. H., which he sold in 1739,
and removed to Salem-Canada, now Lyndeborough. He mar-

1 80 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

ried Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Sarah (Holt) Cram of
Wilmington, Mass., who were the first settlers in Salem-Canada.
Jonathan Chamberlain was born Feb. ii, 171 1. He was con-
sequently 64 years old when the Revolutionary War commenced.
He hired Mr. John Savage to serve for him in 1776 ; and on the
alarm given July i, 1777, both he and his son of the same name
marched as minutemen under Capt. Peter Clark for the defense
of Fort Ti. Thus, at the age of 66, he did personal service,
having marched 86 miles. He died Jan. 19, 1795, aged 84
years. His grave is under the shadowing pines of the south
cemetery. The farm on which he lived is now owned and oc-
cupied by his great-grandson, Mr. Rufus Chamberlain. It was
deeded to Jonathan in 1768, by the heirs of his brother-in-law,
Joseph Cram, the conditions requiring that he should care for
him and give him Christian burial.

43. Chamberlain, Jonathan, Jr. Jonathan Chamberlain, Jr.,
was the son of the preceding Jonathan. He was born in Chelms-
ford, Mass., Feb. 26, 1744. He married his cousin, Margaret,
the daughter of his mother's youngest brother, Benjamin Cram.
His farm was west of Capt. William Blaney's and south of his
father-in-law's, the place now owned (Apr., 1905) by Mr. Frank
Winn.

Jonathan, Jr., was a Revolutionary hero, and marched with
his father in the Co. of Capt. Clark on the A., July i, 1777. He
reenlisted under Capt. Clark, in September, 1777, and was in
the fight at S., which resulted in the capture of Burgoyne. He
also paid for one month's service of a man in the Continental
Army. He died in Lyndeborough, Apr. 26, 1815, aged 71
years, and was buried in the south cemetery.

44. Chamberlain, Samuel. Samuel Chamberlain was a
brother of Jonathan, Jr., and also a Revolutionary soldier. He
enlisted Dec. 7, 1776, in Capt. William Walker's Co., and
served three months and eleven days at Fishkill, N. Y. He
was transferred to Capt. Samuel McConnell's Co., Col. David
Oilman's Regt., for that service, and marched 600 miles. He
also served in Capt. John Haven's Co., " Enlisted for the pur-
pose of guarding prisoners from the State of New Hampshire to
New Port in Rhode Island." His time of service on this duty
was but 12 days. He died in Lyndeborough in 1812 or 1813.

45. Clark, Capt. Peter. See sketch elsewhere.

46. Cram, Benjamin, Jr. Benjamin Cram. Jr., served in the
Revolutionary War in Capt. Peter Clark's Co., Col. Stickney's
Regt., and Stark's brigade. He was in the battle of Benning-
ton and served in that expedition two months and six days.

47. Cram, Daniel. Daniel Cram was in Capt. Levi Spauld-
ing's Co. and at the battle of B. H. He is reported as a de-
serter, but the report is believed to be incorrect and lacks con-
sistency with his active soldierly record. The same volume

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 181

which makes the report shows clearly that he served in 1776 and
1777. Our town records credit him with five months' ser\nce at
W. H. in the seige of Boston, 1775 and 1776, and also with ser-
vice in N. Y. state at Fishkill, from Dec, 1776, to Mar., 1777.
He marched with Capt. Peter Clark on the A. for Ti, He also
went with Capt, Clark on the S., and assisted in the capture
of Gen. Burgojme. He also went with Capt. William Lee on
the R. I. expedition in 1778; and further, paid for a month's
service of a man to go to W. P. with Capt. Jonas Kidder in
1780. This record should seem to nullify the charge of deser-
tion.

48. Cram, David. David Cram does not seem to have done
personal service in the Revolutionary army. But he hired
Hezekiah Dunklee to serve for him at B., under Capt. Peter
Clark. He also paid for one month's service of William Burn-
ham, who enlisted for a year in the Continental Army, and
whose bounty was furnished by several citizens. He also paid
one month's bounty for a man to go to W. P. in 1780 in Capt.
Jonas Kidder's Co. His home was on the fine hillside on which
now stands that of his grandson, Mr. Luther Cram.

49. Cram, Jacob. Jacob Cram was a brother of David, and
appears to have done no personal army service. He, however,
hired Thomas Pringle to go with Capt. Peter Clark's Co. to B.
He also hired Jesse Lund to go to R. I. with Capt. William Lee.
He also paid for a month's service of a man in the Continental
Army. He lived in the southeast part of the town, where Mr.
Melendy now lives.

50. Cram, Capt. Jonathan. Jonathan Cram was the father of
David and Jacob. He was born in Hampton Falls, N. H.,
Feb. 21, 1708, and died at Lyndeborough Jan. 23, 1790. He
had served in the French and Indian wars and was a captain in
the militia, and generally was called Capt. Cram. When the
Revolutionary War began he was 67 years of age. Though
disqualified by age for efiective army service, he hired Mr.
Asahel Stiles to serve for him. Mr. Stiles went on the C. cam-
paign, and served at Ti. in 1776, continuing his service 4 months
and 10 daj^s in all, one-third of which was paid for by Capt.
Cram. " In conjunction with other patriotic^ exempts, in July,
1777," wrote W. H. Grant, Esq., " he hired William Burnham
to serve one 5'ear in the Continental Army." (Minn. Soc. of
S. A. R., p. 298.) His home was on what is now known as the
John A. Putnam place.

51. Cram, Nathan Nathan Cram enlisted for three months
togo to "clear oat the road to St. John's," Canada. He was taken
sick and came home, but appears to have resumed and per-
formed the service, judging from the town pay roll. There
seems no evidence of his rendering any other sersnce.

52. Cram, Solomon. Solomon Cram was a son of Capt.

182 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Jonathan above mentioned. He joined with his father in hiring
Mr. Asahel Stiles, and paid one-third of the bounty. He was
not, himself, in the army, but he paid for one month's bounty
of John Purple, who served a year in the Continental Army for
Lyndeborough. His home was on the place owned by the late
Mr. George Rose.

53. Cram, Uriah. Uriah Cram was also a .son of Capt.
Jonathan, and lived near his father, on the well-known road
leading from the eastern part of the town to the south cemetery,
and on westward by Dea. Ephraim Putnam's. He was a min-
uteman, and also one of three, who in 1778 hired Jacob Button
to serve six months in R. I., and again paid one-sixth of a
man's bounty for enlisting six months in the Continental Army.
His house is said to have been so built that it was used as an
armory or drill room for the minutemen. It was a two-story
house, and the drill was practised in the upper story, which had
partitions that could be removed at pleasure, making the upper
part all into a single room or hall.

54. Creasy, Andrew. The name of Andrew Creasy ap-
pears in so many different forms even when written by scholars,
that I am unable to decide which is the most approved spelling.
Andrew Creasy was a private in Col. Daniel Moore's Regt. in
1776, and was one of a detachment mustered out of his com-
mand to march to N. Y. agreeable to a requisition made the
19th of Dec, 1776. He was afterwards in Capt. McConnell's Co.,
in Col. David Oilman's Regt., with which he served 3 months
and II days, and traveled 600 miles. He was evidently in the
battles of Trenton and Princeton.

I count it not amiss here to cite the words of Gen. Sullivan's
letter to Hon. Meshech Weare, dated Chatham, Feb. 13, 1777.
He wrote :

"General Washington made no scruple to say publicly, the
remains of the Eastern Regiments were the strength of his
armj^ though then their numbers were comparatively speaking
but small ; he calls them in front when the Enemy are there ;
he sends them to the rear when the Enemy threatens that way ;
all the general officers allow them to be the best Troops. The
Southern officers and soldiers allow it in times of danger, but
not all other times. Believe me, Sir, the Yankees took Tren-
town before the other Troops knew anything of the matter
more than that there was an engagement, and what will still
surprise you more, the line that attacked the town consisted of
eight hundred Yankees and there was 1600 Hessians to oppose
them. At Princeton, when the 17th Regiment had thrown
3500 southern militia into the utmost confusion, a Regiment of
Yankees restored the day. This General Mifflen confessed to
me ; — though the Philadelphia papers tell us a different story.
You may venture to assure your friends that no men fight better
or write worse than the Yankees, of which this Letter will be

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 183

good evidence." (Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. I, pp. 522 and 523.)
Andrew Creasy was not only in these battles referred to in
Gen. Sullivan's letter, but later in that year, was one of Capt.
Peter Clark's Co. at S. as the substitute of Joshua Balch, aid-
ing in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne.

Mr. Creasy's farm was situated north of Mr. H. H. Joslin's,
reaching well up toward the side of the mountain. In 1792 he
became a citizen of Fraucestown.

55. Day, Isaac. Isaac Day was one of the men raised for
Canada, out of Col. Daniel Moore's Regt. He was in Capt.
William Barron's Co., mustered July 22, 1776, and served 4
months and 10 days. He lived In the northwest part of L,ynde-
borough.

56. Denten, Ebenezer. Ebenezer Denten was one of the
men who " inlisted to clear out the road to St. Johns," and since
the list of men "that went to Coos to clear the Road to St.
Johns " shows the same names, except that Ebenezer Denten in
the first list is changed to " Capt. Clark's man " in the second,
we infer that Ebenezer Denten was Capt. Clark's hired man.
His term of enlistment was three months and a half.

57. Dike, Benjamin. Benjamin Dike was a resident of
Amherst, but having done military duty for Lyndeborough, is
entitled to a place on our roll. He was hired by Isaac Kidder.
He was ist corporal in Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., which
marched to the seat of war April 23, 1775- He was in the battle
of B. H., and was also at W. H. among the besiegers of Boston.

58. Duncklee, Hezekiah. Hezekiah Dunklee did much
service for himself and others in the Revolutionar}' War. He
enlisted 3 months to clear out the road to St. Johns. He next en-
listed in Capt. ^McConnell's Co., drawn from Col. Daniel Moore's
Regt., to march to N. Y. They served from Sept. 26 to Dec.
I, 1776, In this campaign he seems to have been substitute
for Francis Epps. In Capt. Peter Clark's expedition B, he was
substitute for David Cram. In 1780 he paid one-half a month's
bounty for a man's service in the Continental Army ; and in
1780, the account states that " he did a fortnit " for those that
went to the westward for three months. He seems to have
lived near Francestown. and was in 1784 a signer of the peti-
tion for the organization of Greenfield.

59. Dunnell, Reuben. Reuben Dunnell served three years,
entering the first N.H . Regt., March, 1777 ; and was discharged
March, 1780. In the Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. I, page 600,
the name is Reuben Donnell, Vol. 2, pp. 437 and 715, it is
varied to Dunill and Dunnell, and in Hammond as cited above,
it is Dunnel. But however the name may be spelled, he ser\'^ed
for Lyndeborough with Lyndeborough comrades. He was in

184 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Capt. Amos Kmerson's Co., in Col. Joseph Cilley's Regt., in
which William lyce of lyyndeborough was 2nd I^ieut.

60. Button, Asa. Asa Button was a soldier in Capt. Mc-
Connell's Co., raised out of Col. Baniel Moore's Regt. to march
to N. Y., serving from Sept. 26 to Bee. i, 1776.

61. Button, Benjamin. In Captain Peter Clark's expedition
to B., Benjamin Button was represented by Ezra Button. The
only record we have found of Benjamin's share in the Revolu-
tion is that he assisted to hire a man to go to W. P., and that
he "hired Ezra," and he proved a good substitute, as the fol-
lowing account will show.

62. Button, Ezra. I avail myself here of W. H. Grant,
Esq's, assistance, who wrote : "Ezra Button lived in lyynde-
borough, and died there in 1793. He was a minute-man and
one of Capt. Spaulding's Co. ; was in the battle of B. H., and
continued through the siege of Boston, and was discharged in
March, 1776. He was also a private in Capt. McConnell's Co.,
raised in Sept., 1776, to reinforce the Continental Army, near
New York. He served four months, and was in the battle of
White Plains. He was also corporal in Capt. Peter Clark's
Co., which fought at Bennington. He marched to Saratoga
and aided in the capture of Burgoyne. He was also with
Capt. William Lee in the Rhode Island campaign 'under Gen.
Sullivan and fought in the battle of Rhode Island, 1778."

63. Button, Jacob. Jacob Button was one of Capt. Spauld-
ing's Co. at B. H., and also at the W. H. camp. He was a fifer.
He was also with Capt. Peter Clark in the B. campaign. He
was also a fifer in Capt. Samuel Bearborn's Co., Col. Stephen
Peabody's Regt. for Continential service at R. I. He was there
six months and 12 days, half of the time as a substitute for
Eleazar Woodward, and the other half for Moses Stiles Jr. and
Uriah Cram. He was a fifer in Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co. of
Col. Nichols' Regt., at W. P. He was in Capt. Spaulding's
march to Canada, and back to Trenton and Princeton.

64. Ellinwood, Benjamin. Benjamin Ellinwood was proba-
bly the man called Benjamin Tuck Ellinwood on our town roll.
He was one of Capt. Peter Clark's men on the B. campaign,
and was substitute for Bavid Stratton. He seems to have lived
in the eastern part of the town.

65. Ellinwood, Joseph. Joseph Ellinwood was fourth ser-
geant in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. in the S. campaign, in which
Gen. Burgoyne was captured. He assisted in hiring William
Burnham to serve a year in the Continental Army ; and also in
hiring William Lee to go to Coos in 1782. Joseph Ellinwood
and Joseph Ellinwood Jr. were residents of the northwest part
of the town, and petitioners for a division of it in 1784.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 185

66. Ellimvood, Joseph Jr. Joseph Ellinwood Jr. was in
Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co. in the battle of B. H., and also at
W. H., besieging Boston, while in the hands of the British.
He seems to have enlisted as a substitute for Capt. John
Stephenson. If this is correct, he served at Ti. from July 22 to
Dec. I, 1776. In Rev. Rolls i, 359, his name is misprinted
AUinwood, and omits the Jr. It is often difl&cult to distinguish
between persons of the same name. Others must judge of suc-
cess in this case.

67. Epps, Francis. Francis Epps was selectman in Eynde-
borough in 1775, at the breaking out of the Revolutionar>'
War. He appears to have hired Hezekiah Duncklee as his
substitute to go to N. Y. In 1777 he marched as quarter-
master with Capt. Peter Clark, his brother-in-law, on the S.,
and aided in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne. In 1778, he was
in the R. I. expedition with Capt. William Eee.

Francis Epps was the sou of Daniel Epps Jr. Esq., the first
clerk of the Salem-Canada proprietors, lived in northeast part
of the town, and was an honored and influential citizen.

68. Fletcher, Philip. Philip Fletcher was in Capt. William
Barron's Co., raised out of Col. Daniel Moore's Regt. for Can-
ada, and was in the Ti. campaign. He went as substitute for
Mr. George Gould and son Daniel. He returned with Capt.
Barron from the campaign at Ti., and later paid one month's
bounty for a man to go to W. P.

69. Fletcher, Simeon Jr. Simeon Fletcher, Jr. was one of
Capt. Peter Clark's Co. on the S. expedition for the capture of
Burgoyne. (I follow town, not the state, records.) This appears
to be the only service credited by our town roll to Simeon
Fletcher, Jr.

70. Fletcher. Simeon. Simeon Fletcher was the pioneer of
the familj' in this town, and was the father of both Philip and
Simeon Jr. They lived in that part of the town which was at
first province or societ)- land, which became the Eyndeborough
Addition, and which was again taken away to aid in con-
structing the town of Greenfield. Much of his old estate is
still owned by Simeon's descendants of the fourth and fifth
generations.

Our towu records state that Simeon Fletcher ' ' did one-third
of a turn" of army service at Ti., through his sub.stitute,
James Burnham. He was with Capt. Peter Clark on the A.
(Rolls 2, 138 adds Jr. to the name, which seems an error). He
was also in Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co., Col. Moses Nichols'
Regt., raised to join the Continential Army at W. P., in 17S0.
He is supposed to have been "on guard the night that Arnold
attempted to surrender the fortress to the British." He also
served one month among those who went westward for three

186 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

months in 1781. Such is his record according to both town and
state papers.

71. Fuller, Andrew, Esq. Andrew Fuller was town clerk
as well as one of L,yndeborough's selectmen in 1776. He did
two-thirds of a turn of army service in 1776 and Jonas Kidder,
one-third. They hired Samuel Butterfield. He did personal
service also in Capt. William L,ee's Co. in R. I. He paid one
month's bounty of John Purple, who was hired to serve a year
in the Continental Army. He seems to have paid the highest
sum on the list of those who hired substitutes.

72. Gardner, Ebenezer. Ebenezer Gardner was a soldier in
Capt. Samuel McConnell's Co., raised out of Col. Daniel Moore's
Regt. in N. Y., was mustered Sept. 26 and continued in the
service until Dec. i, 1776. Each man went for himself only,
and was allowed 18 shillings per month bounty by the town.

73. Gould, Daniel. Daniel Gould was a soldier in Capt.
William I^ee's Co. of Col. Moses Kelley's Regt. in the R. I.
expedition in 1778. He enlisted Feb. 23, 1781, for three years
or during the war. He paid for one month's bounty of Israel
Hutchinson who was hired for a year in the Continental Army,
and also two months' bounty toward a man's serving six
months in the same army. He together with his father, George,
hired Mr. Philip F'letcher. He is reported as having returned
from the Ti. campaign with lyieut. Barron, a fact which seems
difficult to explain, through his substitute, Philip Fletcher,
See number 68.

74. Gould, George. George Gould was the father of
Daniel. He was probably unfitted by age for personal army
service. But he united with his son Daniel, and they per-
formed a full turn of service through their substitute, Philip
Fletcher. He lived nearly opposite the town hall, at the centre.

75. Gould, Stephen. Stephen Gould lived in the northwest
part of the town, and was one of the petitioners for its division
in 1784, He was in Capt. William Walker's Co. of 42 men
raised out of the 5th Regt. of N. H. militia, by an order from
Major Gen. Folsom, to reinforce the Continental Army at N. Y.
from Dec. 7, 1776 to March i, 1777. He reenlisted in the same
line of service from June 28 to Dec. 19, 1780.

76. Grushe (or Grushe), Thomas. In our town records
Vol. II., p. 29, we find, " Voted to give 100 Dollars as a bounty
or reward, to each of the sixteen men that shall enlist from
this town, except Joseph Willson and Thomas Grush, who have
received a hire from particular men." Thomas Grush was in
Capt. Amos lunerson's Co., in Col. Joseph Cilley's Regt., raised
by the State of N. H. for the Continental service, Feb., 1777.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 187

77. Hadley, Joshua. Joshua Hadley seems to have done no
personal service in the army. But he hired a substitute for the
Ti. campaign under Capt. William Barron, paying ^6, 13s., 4d.
He further paid one month's bounty to hire John Purple for a
year in the Continental Army, and one and a half month's
bounty for a man to go to W. P., July 4, 1780.

78. Hale, Israel. Israel Hale was born in Beverley, Mass.,
and at the time of his enlistment in the Continental Army, Feb.
26, 1781, was 16 years, 5 months old. He was a resident of
Lyudeborough and enlisted for three years, or until the close of
the war. He was in Col. Joseph Cilley's Regt., second Co.,
and was discharged in Oct., 1781, when the war practically
ended with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

79. Hamblet, Hezekiah. Hezekiah Hamlet (as formerly
spelled, Hamblet,) was one of Capt. William Barron's Co. in
the expedition to Ti. in 1776. He served as substitute for both
David and Robert Badger. He was also one of Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. on the S.

80. Herrick, Daniel. Daniel Herrick was in Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. at B. Time in service, 2 mos., 6 dys. He also
joined with five others in hiring a man for 6 months in the Con-
tinental Army. He lived in what is now Greenfield, and was
one of the petitioners for the new town,

81. Herrick, Joseph. Joseph Herrick was one of the select-
men of Lyudeborough in 1776. He is named among those who
returned with Lieut. Barron from the Ti. expedition. He was
one of the committee of safety for 1777, and was one of a com-
mittee of five men chosen to average and appraise the services
done for the town by each of its citizens in the war, from the
19th day of April, 1775, to May 6, 1777. He was in Capt.
Clark's Co. on the expedition to B. and also on the S. In the
latter he was Q. M. Sergt. In 1778 he was in the R. I. expedi-
tion ; and in 1780 he paid a month's bounty for a man in the
Continental service. He belonged in that part of the town set
off to form the new town of Greenfield, and was a petitioner for
the same.

82. William HoUey. We cannot give his record, but in
1840 he was a pensioner living in Greenfield. He lived for
many years on what in early times was known as Woodward
Hill, on the old stage road between Temple, Peterborough,
and Greenfield, a road which passes over the hill north of
the Dolliver place.

83. Holt, Oliver. Oliver Holt enlisted Sept. 17, 1781, in
Capt. William Boyes' Co. of Col. Daniel Reynold's Regt., of
N. H. militia. He received provision and supplies from the
selectmen of the town sufficient to last him to Springfield. His

1 88 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

term of service was short, for the war closed with the surrender
of Cornwallis, Oct. 19, a little more than a month after his en-
listment.*

84. Holt, William. William Holt was in Capt. Peter Clark's
Co. on the A., and was also with the same Capt. on the memor-
able expedition to B., in which a large detachment of the Brit-
ish Army was signally defeated. He paid a month's bounty
towards John Purple's service for a year in the Continental
Army, and " did two months " towards service to the westward
in 1781.

85. Holt, William, Jr. William Holt, Jr., gave one month's
service to hire William I,ee to go to Coos, July 12, 1782. There
was danger of an invasion of our frontiers from Canada at this
time, and two companies of able-bodied and effective men were
raised as rangers for the defense of our borders. In this service
William Lee, who had previously served as Capt., enlisted as a
private, and William Holt, Jr., contributed towards his bounty,
or hire.

86. Houston, Samuel. Samuel Houston was one of three
men, all prominent in our town, who hired James Burnham as
their substitute in Capt. William Barron's Co. in the Ti. campaign.
His name appears first on our Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. II, p.
loi, in Capt. Robbe's Co., Col. Enoch Hale's Regt., of N. H.
troops. In Capt. Peter Clark's Co. on the A., he was Lieut.,
and always after that was called L,ieut. Houston. In Capt.
Jonas Kidder's Co., destined for W. P., he was sergeant, and
the same year, 1780, he paid a month's bounty for a man to go
to W. P. He lived north of the mountain, near the Frances-
town line.

87. Howard, Silas. Silas Howard came from Massachu-
setts where he had been in the army of the revolution. He
continued a citizen of Lyndeborough to the close of his life.
His descendants remained in this town till the fourth genera-
tion, and were then annexed to Milford. His son Samuel was
one of our soldiers in the war of 181 2, and was one of ten chil-
dren. (See Genealogy.)

88. Hutchinson, Israel. Israel Hutchinson enlisted in the
Continental Army for a year, and received a bounty of £60 for
his sevices. The money was raised by subscription, three men
pa3ang each i month's bounty, three others paying 2 months'
bounty each, and one paying 3 months' bounty. Some who did
no personal army duty took real, active interest in the war.

89. Hutchinson, James. James Hutchinson was 2nd ser-
geant in Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., which served from Apr.
23 to Aug. I, 1775. He served 5 months and 18 da5^s in the

•Oliver Holt, Knoch Ordway, James Hutchinson and Simeon Fletcher were in the
same company and marched to Fort Edward, which had surrendered the day before
their arrival. They were not needed there and so returned.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 189

Continental service. Sept. 17, 1 781, he enlisted for three years,
and a little more than a month later he was discharged, at the
close of the war.

90. Hutchinson, John. John Hutchinson was one of Capt.
Levi Spaulding's Co. in the W. H. campaign. He was, also,
with Capt. Peter Clark on the A., but hired Nehemiah Hutch-
inson on the B., under the same Capt. He seems, also, to have
performed some service for Benjamin Jones.

91. Hutchinson, Nehemiah. Nehemiah Hutchinson saw
considerable service in the Revolutionary War. He was a pri-
vate in the Co. of Capt. Levi Spaulding, and appears to have
served with him at B. H. and W. H. He went with him to
Canada and back to Trenton, &c. He went with Capt. Peter
Clark on the A., and also on the B., in which he was hired by
John Hutchinson, and held the office of ist sergeant.

92. Hutchinson, Samuel. Samuel Hutchinson was corporal
in Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co. at B. H. He was hired by Amos
Wilkins, and served in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. at B. He was
in Capt. William Lee's Co. in R. I. in 1778. He paid a month's
bounty for Isaac Carkin's service, who enlisted for a year in the
Continental Army ; and in Sept., 1779, he hired Stephen Rich-
ardson to serve two months at Portsmouth.

93. Johnson, Adam. Adam Johnson was in Capt. William
Lee's Co., Col. Moses Kelley's Regt., in the expedition to R. I.
in 1778, serving as quartermaster sergeant. He paid two
months' bounty for Israel Hutchinson's year's service in the
Continental Army, and one month's bounty to hire a man to go
to W. P., N. Y., in 17S0. In 1782, he was Lieut, in Capt.
Jonathan Smith's Co. of rangers for the defense of our western
frontiers.

94. Johnson, Adam, Jr. Adam Johnson, Jr. was one of
Capt. William Barron's Co. in the Ti. campaign, though his
name seems omitted from the printed rolls. He enlisted for the
W. H. campaign in the siege of Boston, 1776, and went from
there to N. Y., and continued throughout the campaign. He
paid one month's bounty toward Israel Hutchinson's year in the
Continental Army.

95. Johnson, James. James Johnson, as we learn from our
town records, was hired by Adam Johnson, and served some-
where for him, as the record plainly shows. But the printed
Revolutionary Rolls do not seem to have his name, unless he is
the one named in Rolls, II, p. 514.

96. Johnson, John. John Johnson was in Capt. Levi Spauld-
ing's Co., and was in the battle of B. H. It was he who took
up his brother-in-law, David Carlton, mortall}' wounded, and

190 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

carried him off the field. In the winter of 1776 he went from
W. H. to N. Y., and remained throughout that campaign.
There seems no further record of him. He doubtless fell as a
victim of the war. His widow, Abigail (Carlton) Johnson, be-
came the wife of Ensign David Putnam.

97. John Kidder in 1776 paid for a man's service in the Ti.
campaign. " He hired Mr. John Rowe." He paid a month's
bounty for Isaac Carkin in 1777. He afterwards enlisted in
Col. Moses Kelley's Regt., and was in Capt. William Lee's Co.
in the R. I. expedition in 1778. He was also a member of the
same Regt. when engaged in the defense of Portsmouth in 1779.
He also paid two months' bounty for a man to go to W. P. in
1780. A portion of the land owned by him remains still the
property of some of his descendants of the fifth generation,
Elizabeth Rebecca (Mrs. Ethan A. Woodward) Kidder, and
Miss Harriet Moore.

Elizabeth Rebecca (Kidder) Woodward died July 20, 1904.

98. Kidder, John, Jr. Our records credit John Kidder, Jr.,
with a share in the R. I. expedition in 1778. He was one of the
seven men w^hose estates were severed from Lyndeborough
and annexed to Temple in 1796.

99. Kidder, Jonas. Jonas Kidder and Andrew Fuller, Esq.,
united in hiring Samuel Butterfield to enter the Ti. campaign
in the Co. of Capt. William Barron in 1776.

In 1777 he paid one month's bounty to hire John Purple to
enter the Continental Army for one year. In 1778 he served as
a private in the Co. of Capt. William Lee in the R. I. expedi-
tion. In 1779 he served two months at Portsmouth as Lieut.
In 1780 he was commissioned as Capt. in Col. Moses Nichols'
Regt., and served at W. P.^ The same year he paid the bounty
of a three months' man to serve at W. P. At that time the
British had special mov^ements on foot to try to capture that forti-
fication, and special efforts were made to reinforce and strengthen
it. In his duties at that place Jonas Kidder, it is said, was en-
trusted with guarding Major Andre the night before his death.
The list of his Co. and their residences is given in the Revolu-
tionary Rolls, Vol. Ill, pp. 161, 162, and they were in Camp
Highlands Sept. 27, 1780.

In 1781 he was serving the town as one of its selectmen, asso-
ciate of Ephraim Putnam. That same year a petition, very in-
teresting, for the light it sheds on our financial condition, was
sent to the General Court of the State of N. H., assembled at
Exeter, Jan. 5. The petition bears the names of Abel Stevens
of New Grantham, William Barron of Merrimack, Jonas Kidder
of Lyndeborough and Peter Page of Charlestown, all captains
in the regiment lately commanded by Col. Moses Nichols.

" Humbly Shews, That they have received Warrants upon

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 191

the Treasurer for their respective wages, and for the wages of
the men under their Command during the time they were em-
ployed in the service of the said State. They have presented
some of the warrants to the Treasurer for payment, and he in-
forms them that there is no money in the Treasury, and that 'tis
out of his power to pay them. They further beg leave to show
their honors they have been for several days past, and now are
in the Town of Exeter on expense waiting for their pay.

" That they are not possessed of money sufficient to pay their
expences in said Town of Exeter, or to bear their expences to
their several homes.

" That they and the men belonging to their several Companies
have depended upon receiving their wages to pay their taxes; that
they did not, as has been usual heretofore, receive any advance
wages ; that they were obliged to advance considerable sums of
money in order to defray their expences in travelling to and
from Camp ; that they were employed in the service of said
State at a time of the year when 'twas most inconvenient for
them to leave their several homes. Your Petitioners wish not
to be troublesome to your Honors — they wish 'twas in their
power to pay their expences in said Town of Exeter, bear their
expences home, and pay their taxes after their return, but they
are sorry to say that 'tis not.

' ' They therefore pray that your honors would point out some
way to enable the said Treasurer to pay them respectively the
sums mentioned in their respective Warrants (or at least some
part of the sums aforesaid) that they may be enabled to pay
their taxes, defray their expences in said Town of Exeter, bear
their expences to their homes, and pay the men which were
under their Command some part of the wages due to them ; and
as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c."

Jonas Kidder Abel Stevens
Peter Page William Barron

Jonas Kidder held various offices of trust in Lyndeborough after
the close of the Revolutionary War. He spent his last days in the
home of his daughter, in his native town of Hudson, having
nearly completed his 94th year. On his headstone is the inscrip-
tion : —

" In memory of Capt. Jonas Kidder

who died Nov. ist, 1837, aged 94

Formerly of Linesborough."

100. Killam, Benjamin. Benjamin Killam, at the time a
citizen of Ivyndeborough, is named as one of the men who
marched from Temple to Cambridge on the 19th of April, 1775.
He paid two months' bounty for John Purple's year of service
in the Continental Army. In 1796, he, with six others, were
severed from Ivyndeborough and annexed to Temple.

loi. Kittridge, Joshua. Joshua Kittredge enlisted in the
Continental Army July i, 1780, and was discharged Dec. 6,

192 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

1780. He was 19 years of age at the time of his enlistment, and
was enrolled from Lyndeborough. His name stands on our
town records for the year 1781.

102. Lee, Capt. William. William Lee was sergeant in
Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., and was at the battle of B. H., and
also for a time at W. H., besieging the British in Boston. He
went from W. H. to Canada in 1776 as ensign under Capt.
Spaulding, returned and with him shared in the battles of Tren-
ton and Princeton in Dec, 1776. In 1778 he was Capt. in the
expedition for the defense of R. I. In July, 1782, he enlisted
as a private in Capt. Jonathan Smith's Co. of rangers for the
defense of our western frontiers. (See sketch elsewhere.)

103. Lewis, Aaron. In 1776 Aaron Lewis joined with Mr.
Nathan Parsons in hiring Mr. John Reynolds to do half a turn of
army service for them ; and he did half a turn for himself, thus fill-
ing out a whole turn of service for the defense of Ti. In July,
1777, he was first sergeant in Capt. Peter Clarke's Co., which
marched on the A. The next year, 1778, he served as a private
in Capt. William Lee's Co. in the R. I. expedition. He also
paid one month's bounty for a man to serve three months at
W. P. in 1780.

104. Lund, Jesse. Jesse Lund appears to have been a na-
tive of Dunstable. But the greater part of his army service was
performed for Lyndeborough. He enlisted in Capt. Levi
Spaulding's Co, of Col. James Reed's Regt., and had a part in
the battle of B. H., and was reported as among the mortally
wounded. He recovered, however, and rendered further ser-
vice. He fought under Capt. Peter Clark at B., as the substi-
tute of Benjamin Osgood. He also served for Jacob Cram, in
Capt. William Lee's Co., in the expedition to R. I. in 1778.

105. Lund, Willard. Willard Lund was probably a brother of
Jesse. He served in the Co. of Capt. Jonas Kidder at W. P.
They assisted in holding the fort at the time of Arnold's treason,
and were entrusted by General Washington with the most im-
portant soldierly services at that critical time.

106. Manuel, Amos. Amos Manuel was a soldier in Capt.
Jonas Kidder's Co. of Col. Nichols' Regt., in duty at W. P.,
1780.

107. Manuel, Joel. Joel Manuel paid one month's bounty for
a man to go toW. P. for three months in 1780.

108. McAdams. Four persons of this name, presumbably a
father and three sons, together with Benjamin Burroughs, con-
tributed the bounty of a six months' man for the Continental
Army in the year 1780. Their voluntary contributions to the

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 193

patriot cause entitle their names to a place on our roll. The
names are William McAdams, Robert McAdams, Hugh Mc-
Adams, William McAdams. The names of Robert and Wil-
liam McAdams, Jr., appear on our lists of town officers for the
years 1779 and 1785.

109. Mclntire, Andrew. The name of Andrew Mclntire is
found in our Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. I, pp. 469, 602. He en-
listed in Capt. Morrill's Co. of Col. John Stark's Regt., Feb. 20,
1777. He doubtless saw active service, though what we cannot
distinctly state.

no. Mclntire, John. He also was in the ist Regt., in Capt.
Morrill's Co., under Col. Stark. Hammond's Town Papers,
Vol. XII, p. 522, states that John Mclntire entered the ist
Regt. Mar. 8, 1777, and was discharged Mar. 20, 1780. He
therefore served more than three years.

111. Mclntire, Timothy. Timothy Mclntire was a soldier
in Capt. Ivcvi Spaulding's Co., Col. James Reed's Regt., and
was in the battle of B. H. He was credited to Duxbury School
Farm. But his name appears among our town officers for the
year 1776, and therefore we doubt the correctness of that credit.

112. McMaster, Samuel. Samuel McMaster was also a sol-
dier in Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., and in the battle of B. H.
His name is among those of our town officers for the years 1779
and 1780.

113. Mead, John. John Mead hired Josiah Blanchard, who
marched with Capt. Peter Clark, and was in the battle of B.,
and served two months. He also paid one-half month's bounty
for a man to go three months to reinforce W. P., but find no
record of his personal military service.

114. Mellen, John. John Mellen was a resident of Frances-
town, who served in the Continental Army for Lj'ndeborough.
He was chosen out of Col. Moses Kelley's Regt. to fill up the
New Hampshire battalions raised to reinforce the Continental
Army, and also to aid in the defense of R. I. He was mustered
into the army July 20, 1779, to serve six months. William
Blaney, Moses Lewis and John Woodward each paid two months'
bounty to hire him.

115. Ordway, Enoch. Enoch Ordway enlisted in Capt.
William Boyes' Co., Col. Daniel Reynold's Regt., Sept. 17,
1 78 1. He and three others, Oliver Holt, Simeon Fletcher and
James Hutchinson, were in the same Co., and marched to Fort
Edward, N. Y. But the fort surrendered the day before they
reached there, and as their service was not needed, they returned
east. Enoch Ordwaj'- enlisted for six weeks in 1780, to go to
Coos for the defense of our frontiers.

116. Ordway, John. John Ordway seems to have done no

194 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

personal army service, but assisted liberally to support those
who did. He united with Isaac Day in performing a full turn
of service in the Ti. campaign, under Capt. William Barron in
1776. Isaac Day was his substitute. He paid a month's bounty
to hire John Purple for a year in the Continental Army. He
also paid a month's bounty for a man to go to W. P. three
montlas in 1780, and paid two months' bounty for William Lee
to go to Coos in 1782.

117. Ordway, Moses. Moses Ordway enlisted Feb. 21, 1781,
for three years, or during the war. He was in Capt. Isaac Far-
well's Co., in the ist N. H. Regt.

118. Osgood, Benjamin. Benjamin Osgood hired Jesse
Lund as substitute in the Co. of Capt. Peter Clark in the B.
campaign. He also paid half a month's bounty towards those
who went to the westward for three months in 1781.

119. Parsons, George. George Parsons was in Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. on the B. campaign, sharing in one of the impor-
tant successes of the Revolutionary War. George Parsons lived
in the northwest part of the town.

120. Parsons, Jonathan, Jr. Jonathan Parsons, Jr. paid one
month's bounty for a six months' man in the Continental Army.
See Hammond XII, p. 606.

121. Parsons or Pearson, Nathan. Nathan Pearson and
Aaron Lewis did one-fourth of a turn of service each, through
Mr. John Reynolds their substitute in 1776. He was in the R.
I. expedition with Capt. William Lee in 1778. He also paid
one month's bounty for a three months' man to go to W. P. in
1780. In 1776, he was one of the selectmen.

122. Pearson, Thomas. Thomas Pearson was in Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. on the A. He hired Edward Bevins to march with
Capt. Clark on the S. campaign for the capture of Burgoyne.
He also paid a month's bounty to secure a six months' man for
the Continental Army.

123. Pearson, Timothy. Timothy Pearson was in Capt.
Clark's Co. on the A. He also served under the same Capt.
on the S. expedition for the capture of Gen. Burgoyne. He
was in Capt. William Lee's Co. in the R. I. expedition in 1778.

The most of the Pearsons lived in the southeast corner of
Lyndeborough and adjacent parts of other towns. They peti-
tioned the Legislature in 1779 that they might be joined with a
part of Amherst, Duxbury School Farm and the Mile Slip, and
be chartered as a separate town. But all the towns seemed
opposed to this, and the movement failed. That part of the
town of Lyndeborough was called " Parsonses Corner."

124. Perham, Oliver. The Massachusetts records of soldiers

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 195

and sailors in the Revolutionary War, p. 140, state that he en-
listed from Chelmsford, as a private in Lieut. John Flint's Co.
of Col. Thomas Poor's Regt., and served eight months and
fourteen days at and about White Plains, including twelve days'
travel home, 240 miles. He was also at West Point, 1780,
marching from home June 30, 1780, and discharged Dec. 19,
1780."

" Soon after the close of the war, he settled in the southeast
part of Lyndeborough. He had seven sons and one daughter."
(See Genealogy.)

125. Phelps, Nathaniel, Ensign. Nathaniel Phelps was one
of the selectmen in 1776, and w'as a prominent man in the
town. He and Jeremiah Carlton united in paying Isaac Car-
kin for performing servdce under Capt. William Barron on the
Ti. campaign. He bore two-thirds and Mr. Carleton one-third
of the expense. He paid two months' bounty to hire Israel
Hutchinson to enter the Continental Army for a j^ear. He
paid two months' bounty for a man to go to W. P. three months.
He is constantly called Ensign Phelps in our town records.

126. Pringle, Thomas. Thomas Pringle was in Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. on the B. expedition. He served at that memor-
able occasion as substitute for Jacob Cram. He lived in that
part of the town which was afterwards annexed to Greenfield.

127. Punchard, Benjamin. Benjamin Punchard was one of
Lyndeborough's hay wards in 1776. He paid two months'
bounty towards hiring Mr. William Burnham for a year's ser-
vice in the Continental Army in 1779. He paid one month's
bounty for a man to go three months to W. P., N. Y., in 1780.

128. Punchard, James. James Punchard hired John Skerry
to go with Capt. Peter Clark on the S. campaign. He paid
one month's bounty tow^ard Israel Hutchinson's service for one
year in the Continental Army in 1777. He also paid one
month's bounty for a man to go three months to W. P. in 1780.

129. Punchard, John. John Punchard was a drummer in
Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co. at W. P.

130. Punchard, Samuel. Samuel Punchard was in Capt.
Peter Clark's Co. on the S. expedition, Sept., 1777. The same
year he paid one month's bounty towards Isaac Carkin's year
in the Continental Arm3^ Feb. 21, 1781, he enlisted in the
Continental Army for three years.

131. Punchard, William. William Punchard paid one-half
month's bounty for a man to serve six months in the Conti-
nental Army.

The Punchard family, evidently influential, must have lived
near Francestown, whose historian, we think, incorrectly claims
Samuel for his town. He is enrolled as one of our town offi-
cers in 1782, and enlisted as above in 1781. Wm. and John
may have been the younger sons at the time of the war.

196 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

132. Purple, John. John Purple was a resident of Amherst
who served for Lyndeborough, and received a bounty of sixty
pounds sterling for service in 1779. His bounty was raised by
subscription, eleven of our citizens having shared in pro-
viding it.

133. Putnam, Aaron. Aaron Putnam was one of five men
who enlisted in Dec, 1776, and continued their service till the
first of March, 1777. He ser\^ed three months and eleven days,
in Capt. McConnell's Co., Col. David Oilman's Regt., and
marched 600 miles. They went to Fishkill, N. Y. He also
marched under Capt. Peter Clark on the A., and served wuth
Capt. William Lee in R. I., in 1778.

134. Putnam, Ensign David. One of our records gives his
name as one of Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co. at the siege of
Boston on W. H. Have found no corroboration of this state-
ment. But the name of David Putnam stands foremost on the
list of those who went "to clear out the road to St. Johns."
He was in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. on the S. campaign, and as-
sisted in dealing the enemy one of the severest blows of the
war, resulting in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne.

135. Putnam, Ephraim. Ephraim Putnam and son Eph-
raim, Jr., united in hiring Mr. Nathaniel Batchelder to enlist in
the Ti. campaign under Capt. William Barron, in July, 1776.
Ephraim Putnam was deacon of the Congregational Church, as
was also his son Ephraim. He paid a month's bounty toward
hiring John Purple to enlist for a year in the Continental Army,
and also a month's bounty to get a man to go to W. P. in 1780.
When preparing for the war in 1774, the town chose him as
committee to provide its stock of ammunition which was to
consist of " one barrel of powder, one hundred weight of lead,
and five dozen flints." Although he did no personal military
service, he was active in fitting out men, and served the town
as a true patriot and promoter of the war. He died in Nov.,
1777.

136. Putnam, Ephraim, Jr. Ephraim Putnam, Jr. was a
worthy son of a noble sire. He shared with his father in hir-
ing Nathaniel Batchelder for the Ti. campaign, in Capt. Wil-
liam Barron's Co. in 1776. He paid a month's bounty for a
man to go to W. P., in 1780. He was Dea. Putnam, Jr. He
served the town as one of its selectmen and was also like his
father, an active supporter and promoter of the war.

137. Putnam, Ephraim, 3rd. Ephraim Putnam, 3rd., united
with Mr. John Bo^ee to do a turn of military service. Mr.
Boffee did the service and Mr. Putnam paid half its value in
money. The service was rendered in Capt. William Barron's
Co. in the Ti. campaign.

138. Putnam, Jesse. Jesse Putnam hired Nicholas Beasom
for two dollars to go in his room, or place. He was one of the

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 197

eleven men that went to N. Y. in Sept., 1776, and continued in
the service till Dec. The town records put the name of Jesse
Putnam in place of his substitute.

139. Putnam, John. John Putnam was a brother of Jesse,
and was also a deacon. In 1780 he enlisted to go to Coos for
the defense of the frontiers ; term of service, six weeks. In
1 78 1 he enlisted for three years or during the war, and was dis-
charged in Dec, 1781, as no longer needed. Cornwallis had
surrendered as well as Burgoyne.

140. Reynolds, John. John Reynolds is introduced to us
thus : —

" Sergt. Aaron I,ewis did one quarter of a turn ; Mr. Nathan
Parsons did one quarter of a turn ; they hired Mr. John Rey-
nolds, and Reynolds did half a turn for himself." He went
into the Ti. campaign in 1766, in Capt. William Barron's Co.,
Col. Joshua Wingate's Regt., serving four months and ten days,
from July 22 till Dec. i, 1776. He lived in the northwest part
of the town, and was one of the petitioners for the charter of the
town of Greenfield.

141. Reynolds, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Reynolds paid one
month's bounty toward Isaac Carkin's year's service in the Con-
tinental Army.

142. Richards, Joseph. At a legal meeting on Jan. 12,
1778, the town of Lyndeborough passed the following vote : —

"Voted, To release William Carson, Benjamin Punchard,
John Skerry and Joseph Richards from doing anything in the
war, until others in this town have done as much as they, ac-
cording to their estates. ' '

Possibly, he was the Joseph Richards who enlisted among
the soldiers from Temple, as did others of our citizens. See
Temple History, p. 97, and Rolls of N. H., Vol. I, p. 35.

Richardson. It is admitted by the History of Temple that in
1796 that town received from ours one Joseph Richardson. Two
Joseph Richardsons are reported from that town in the Revolu-
tionary War, but none from ours. There were several men of
that name in the army, and, presumably, one of the men en-
roled as citizens of Temple should have been credited to I^ynde-
borough. Be that as it may, our roll has first : —

143. Richardson, Stephen. Stephen Richardson enlisted in
April, 1777, for three years, or the war. In 1779 he went to
Portsmouth for two months as substitute for Samuel Hutchin-
son. He was in Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co. at W. P. in 1780.

144. Richardson, Thomas. Thomas Richardson paid two
month's bounty for Israel Hutchinson, who served a year in the
Continental Army and received ;i^6o for his service. Thomas

198 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Richardson also paid one month's bounty for a man to go to
W. P. three months in 1780.

145. Rose, Abraham. Abraham Rose came to us from
Sandwich, Mass., and settled on the part of our mountain
which was named for him, "Rose Mountain." When the
project, then an innovation, of putting a stove into the meeting
house to warm it was broached and under discussion he ob-
jected strenuously to the novelty. He is reported to have
spoken somewhat as follows: "I have attended church these
fifty years ; I have fought the British seven years ; I have slept
in a tent on the frozen ground with nothing but a blanket to
cover me ; I have trod the snow path with bleeding feet, nearly
naked, and I now need no stove to keep me warm in church,
etc." He thus gave his own military record and none of his
fellow-citizens seemed to doubt or dispute it. He was very
likely at Valley Forge and endured some of the severest
hardships of the struggle.

At a later day he removed from his mountain home to that
which is now owned by Willard Rose, his great grandson.

146. Ross, Walter. Walter Ross hired Josiah Woodbury, Jr.,
to enlist in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. on the B. He was also one
of six to hire a man to enlist for six months in the Continental
Army.

147. Rowe, John. John Rowe was No. 33 in Capt. L,evi
Spaulding's Co., which marched from Lyndeborough April 23,
1775. He was in the battle of B. H. He was with Capt. Wil-
liam Barron at Ti. as substitute for Mr. John Kidder, He was
in the Continental Army in 1777, in Capt. Amos Emerson's Co.
In 1780 he was a soldier in the Regt. of Col. Joseph Cilley, and
in 1782, he enlisted in Capt. Jonathan Smith's Co. of rangers,
raised " for the defense of the Western Frontiers."

148. Russell, Daniel. Daniel Russell was a pensioner on
half pay, March 20, 1780, and resided in L,yndeborough in
1786. The R. Rolls, 3,446, gives his own statement as follows :

State of Newhampshire ) Ivyndeborough January 22 1788
Hillsborough J
I do hereby Certify that I Daniel Russell Inlisted into the
Continental Armey for the town of Rindge sometime in April
(or not far from that time) in the year 1777, under lyt James
Crombie and was turned into Capt Blodgets Company and Colo-
nel Hales Regt. and was wounded Sept. 19, 1777 in the Battle
at Stillwater Daniel Russell

149. Russell, Jedediah. Jedediah Russell came into Lynde-
borough from the adjoining town of Wilton, not far from the
year 1800. He served in the Revolution in some Massachusetts
Regt. of which his descendants at the present day have no
trace. He bought land of a Mr. Dascomb, and lived on the
place now occupied by Dr. Richards, in the southwest corner of

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 199

the town. He was at one time licensed as a tavern keeper
(1805). His son Ebenezer was one of the volunteers in 1812,
going to Portsmouth under Lt. Timothy Putnam, and his grand-
son, Adoniram, also served at Portsmouth under Capt. Tarbell
in 1864.

150. Russell, Peter. The town records tell us that " Sar-
geant Peter Russell did a half turn, and Mr. Joshua Hadley
half. Russell went." This was in 1776, and had special refer-
ence to the Ti. campaign. Capt. William Barron led one hun-
dred men from this and neighboring towns for that enterprise,
among whom was Peter Russell. He also went six weeks to
Coos in 1780, and also "did a fornit " toward those who went
westward in 17 81.

151. Sargent, Joshua. Joshua Sargent (m. Abigail I^add)
was one of Capt. William Lee's Co. in the R. I. campaign of
1778. He was also one of the W. P. men in 1780.

A little incident connected with him was narrated by Mrs.
Susanna P. Hartshorn with pleasing animation just a few weeks
before her death. Mr. Sargent's last da^-s were spent at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Israel Putnam, and he was accus-
tomed to call frequently at the house of Deacon David, Mrs.
Hartshorn's father. He used to tell that "he was on duty as
sentry in front of Gen. Washington's headquarters when the
news of Major Andre's capture and Benedict Arnold's treachery
was received. The General had just come in from one of his
rounds of inspection, and dismounted, with birchen switch still
in hand, when he learned of the perfidious plot. Intensely
aroused, and absorbed in deepest thought, he began slowly to
pace the floor to and fro, chewing little strips of both wood and
bark from his switch. He continued thus in profound medita-
tion, until his switch was nearly used up."

The hour was one of gravest trial for even a heroic soul. But
his courage and fortitude endured the test, and he was enabled
to overcome.

Joshua Sargent came from Methuen, Mass., and built and
conducted a cloth mill, as it was called, once situated near the
mill now owned by Mr. Colburn. He spent his last days in the
home of his daughter, Ruthy, the first wife of Capt. Israel
Putnam.

152. Shaw, William. William Shaw^ was a private in the
First Regt., commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley. He enlisted in
July, 1777, and was discharged in Feb., 1778. The town of
lyyndeborough advanced a bounty to him of ^7, 6s, 6d.

153. Skerry, John. John Skerry, in 1776, was one of
Lyndeborough's hay wards or field-drivers. He seems to have
lived in the northwest part of the town. Benjamin Punchard
hired him for the S. campaign with Capt. Peter Clark, Sept. 29,
1777, and he was in the service 26 days. In 1778, at a legal

200 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

town meeting a vote was passed, " to release John Skerry " and
three other citizens, "from doing anything in the war" until
others should do "as much as they according to their estates."

154. Smith, Benjamin, Benjamin Smith enlisted at Cambridge
after Apr. 19, 1775, and he was at the battle of B. H. He was
in Capt. Ezra Towne's Co., which marched from New Ipswich.
In 1777 he enlisted for the war. He was in the First Regt. of
N. H. troops, under Col. Joseph Cilley, in Capt. Amos Emer-
son's Co., and was discharged in Dec, 1781.

155. Smith, David. David Smith was in the First Regt.
commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley. He enlisted on the same
day as Benjamin, and was discharged Jan. i, 1780. David re-
enlisted July 5, 1780, and was again discharged Dec. 14, 1780.

156. Smith, John. John Smith was with Capt. Peter Clark
on the B. expedition. He was also with the same captain in
the S. campaign, both of which were successful, resulting
grandly for the Americans, and paving the way to Yorktown.

157. Smith, Ephraim. Ephraim Smith was a soldier in
Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., which marched from Lyndeborough
April 23, 1775, and was in the battle of B. H.

158. Smith, Euther. Euther Smith of Eyndeborough, en-
listed Feb. 28, 1781, for three years. He was in the 2nd Co. of
Col. Joseph Cilley's Regt.

159. Spaulding, David. David Spaulding, born in Notting-
ham West (now Hudson), and likely a relative of Capt. Levi
Spaulding, 17 years of age, enlisted in Feb., 1781, for three
years.

160. Spaulding, Eieut. Edward. Edward Spaulding enlisted
in Captain Jonas Kidder's Co., July 5, 1780, which went to W.
P. He served till Oct. 23, 1780. He also paid one month's
bounty to hire a man for three months' service at W. P. He
re-enlisted Feb. 21, 1781, for 3 years in the Continental sennce,
and was discharged Dec, 1781.

161. Spaulding, Capt. Eevi. (See sketch of Capt. Eevi
Spaulding elsewhere.)

162. Spaulding, Eieut. Reuben. Lieut. Reuben Spaulding
was one of Capt. Peter Clark's men, on the A., July i, 1777.
He hired Jacob Dutton for the B. campaign, under Capt. Clark.
He was with Captain William Lee, in the R. I. expedition in
1778. He also paid one month's bounty for a man to serve
three months at W. P. in 1780. Reuben Spaulding was one of
a committee of five appointed by the town, to make an average
of the services done in the war by the different citizens, and to
allow each man his just due for such service.

163. Stephenson, Capt. John. According to our town roll,
" Capt. John Stephenson did a whole turn." He hired Joseph

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 201

Ellinwood, Jr., paying him £\2. He also paid two months'
bounty towards hiring Isaac Carkin to serve a year in the Con-
tinental Army ; and further, one month's bounty for a man to
serve three months at W. P.

When I,yndeborough was chartered by the Provincial Govern-
ment in 1764, (April 23), John Stephenson was appointed to
call the first town meeting under the charter. At that meeting,
May 15, 1764, he was chosen town clerk, and continued his ser-
vice till March 12, 1771. Oct. 4, 1765, according to W. H.
Grant, Esq., "John Stephenson was commissioned Capt. and
Jacob Wellman, Ensign of the tenth company in the Sixth
Regt. of the Militia of the Province, by Benning Wentworth,
Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief" of "His
Majesty's Province of New Hampshire in New England &c."

It is probable that John Stephenson may have been too infirm
for effective army duty, and that his share in the war consisted
of his contributions.

164. Stevens, Samuel. Samuel Stevens was in the expe-
dition for the defense of Fort Ti. in 1776, with Capt. William
Barron. He was probably hired by Mr. Jonathan Chamberlain
to do one-third of a turn of army service. He was a near
neighbor of Philip Fletcher in that part of Eyndeborough
which was set off to form Greenfield, for which town he was one
of the original petitioners. He died in Chester, Vt., about 1806.

165. Stiles, Asahel. Asahel Stiles was paid by Mr. Solo-
mon Cram and Capt. Jonathan Cram for doing one-third of
a turn of service for each of them ; and he also did one-third of
a turn for himself. He served in the Ti. campaign in Capt.
William Barron's Co. He lived in the northwest part of our
town, and was one of the petitioners for the incorporation of
Greenfield.

166. Stiles, John. John Stiles was one of Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. on the B. campaign in July, 1777. He lived near
the Francestown line and was one of those whose lands were
annexed to Francestown in 1791. He paid a month's bounty
for a man to go six months into the Continental Army.

167. Stiles, Joshua. Joshua Stiles comes into our record as
having paid one month's bounty towards hiring William Burn-
ham to serve one year in the Continental Army. He seems to
have lived in that part of the town taken to constitute Green-
field.

168. Stiles, Moses, Jr. Moses Stiles, Jr. and Uriah Cram,
his cousin, together, paid one-half of Jacob Button's bounty
for six. months' service in R. I. in 1778. He also paid one
month's bounty for a man to .serve six months in the Continen-
tal Army. Moses Stiles, Jr., John, Samuel and Asahel seem to
have been brothers, sons of Moses and Phebe (Cram) Stiles.
See Cram Genealogy, Phebe.

202 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

169. Stiles, Samuel. Samuel Stiles was a soldier in Capt.
lycvi Spaulding's Co., and took part in the battle of B. H. He
was also at W. H., besieging the British in Boston. He was
one of eight lyyndeborough men who marched from W. H. to
Canada, and returned and took part in the battle of Trenton,
New Jersey.

170. Stratton, David. David Stratton hired Benjamin Tuck
Ellinwood as his substitute in the B. campaign, under command
of Capt. Peter Clark. He also paid one month's bounty
towards a man's serving six months in the Continental Army.
He was early in town and settled first on the farm now owned
by Mr. Andy Holt, Probably exempt from service by advanced
age.

171. Taylor, William. William Taylor "did one fortnit "
towards the bounty of those who went westward three months
in 1 781. He also did a like service towards the bounty of
William lyce who went to Coos in 1782.

172. Thayer, Jonathan. Jonathan Thayer lived north of
the mountain, near Francestown. He was a blacksmith by
trade, kept tavern in 1827, was regarded as a man of good
ability and highly respected. He died in 1836, aged 75 years.

173. Thompson, Andrew. Andrew Thompson was a soldier
in Capt, Levi Spaulding's Co. at B. H. He was also in Capt.
William Barron's Co. in the campaign for the defense of Fort
Ti, He not only did military service for his own town, but also
for some other not definitely named.

174. Thompson, James. James Thompson was without
doubt a Revolutionary soldier in 1776, But he served for some
other town than Lyndeborough, Possibly for Amherst. Rolls
2, 438.

175. Thompson, John, John Thompson served under Capt,
William Barron in the Ti. campaign of 1776, and "returned
with" him. He also paid two months' bounty towards hiring
Mr. William Burnham to serve a year in the Continental Army,

176. Towne, Samuel. Samuel Towne was not in the army,
but contributed liberally to induce others to enlist, who, perhaps,
could render better personal service than he. He paid three
months' bounty for Israel Hutchinson to serv^e a year in the
Continental Army July 15, 1777. He also paid one month's
bounty for a man to go to W, P. three months in 1780. He
lived in the eastern part of L,yndeborough, adjoining the north-
west part of Amherst.

177. Wellman, Abraham. Abraham Wellman was the third
son of Capt. Jacob Wellman, one of the early proprietors of

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 203

Salein-Canada, as well as of Lyndeborougli. He was a native
of Salem-Canada, and a Revolutionary soldier. He lived after
the close of the war, and was a pensioner. He married Rebecca
Parsons, and about 1785 removed to Belgrade, Me., and about
1820 to Ohio.

178. Wellman, Jacob, Jr. Capt. Jacob Wellman, Jr., volun-
teered to serve his country in Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co.; was
in the battle of B. H., and at first reported mortally wounded ;
was carried off the field, and the next day carried to a hospital
in Cambridge. When sufficiently recovered to take the journey,
he received a furlough, and " was welcomed home by his dear
wife and children." He was wounded in the shoulder, and
probably disabled for army service. He died Apr. 20, 1834,
aged 88 years.

179. Wellman, James. James Wellman was born in Salem-
Canada in 1747 and died in the Revolutionary Army.

180. Wellman, John. John Wellman was a Revolutionary
soldier. In 1776, he did service for some Wilton man, unnamed
in our town records. Of his subsequent services we have no
record.

The Wellmans above named, Abraham, Jacob, Jr., James and
John, were sons of Capt. Jacob Wellman, who served in the
militia of our town before the Revolution. His commission, re-
ceived from the Royal Governor, Benning Wentworth, as ensign
bears date of Oct. 12, 1764, the same year in which our town
was chartered. The captain's commission is thought to have
been issued in 1765.

181. Whittemore, Aaron. Aaron Whittemore vwas at B.
under Capt. Peter Clark.

182. Whittemore, Maj. Amos. Amos Whittemore was in
Capt. McConnell's Co. in N. Y. in 1776. He was the son of
Benjamin and Hannah (Collins) Whittemore, born, probably,
in 1747. He settled in lyyndeborough in 1771, and married
Molly Taylor of Amherst.

Our records inform us that Sergt. Amos Whittemore, L,ieut.
Samuel Houston and Simeon Fletcher did one-third of a turn
each. They hired James Burnham. He served, also, in the
Ti. campaign under Capt. William Barron. In N. Y. he did
personal duty, and appears to have been in the battle of White
Plains. He paid one month's bount)' for a man to go to W. P.
in 1780.

The Antrim historian relates that ' ' at one time during the
Revolutionary War, he received orders to march the next morn-
ing : "He was wofully short of pantaloons and knew not what
to do. After consultation with his blessed wife Molly, about 3
o'clock in the afternoon, he went and sheared a sheep (probabl}'
a black one), and his wife carded, spun and wove the wool and
made it into a pair of pantaloons, ready for the morning's march.

204 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Such were many of the wives of Revohitionary heroes." He
was a citizen of Ivyndeborough throughout the Revolutionary
War, and for ten years after its practical termination. He was
promoted ensign, and later lieutenant, and was a major in the
militia.

183. Whittemore, Jonathan. He was a brother of Aaron,
and assi.sted by the paying of one month's bounty to hire Wil-
liam Burnham for a year in the Continental Army in 1777. He
also paid one month's bounty for a man to serve six months in
the Continental Army ; and further, he paid one-half month's
hire for a man to serve in the West in 1781.

184. Whittemore, Samuel. Samuel Whittemore paid two
months' bounty to hire John Woodbury to go to R. I. for six
months in 1779.

185. Wilkins, Amos. The name of Amos Wilkins does not
appear on the printed Revolutionary Rolls. But he hired
Samuel Hutchinson as" a substitute, who fought in Capt. Peter
Clark's Co. at B.

186. Wilkins, BHsha. Elisha Wilkins was a soldier in Capt.
Levi Spaulding's Co., and took part in the battle of B. H. He
enlisted May i, 1775, and served three months and eight days.

187. Wilkins, Joseph, Jr. Joseph Wilkins, Jr., enlisted to
go to New York, and passed muster Sept. 26, 1776, and con-
tinued in the service till the first of Dec. It is stated that "each
went for himself only." But it also stated that " Nicklus
Beesom went in the room of Jesse Putnam, and received two
Dollars of Putnam for the same." The eleven men who went
at the time specified above appear to have been in the battle of
White Plains, Joseph Wilkins being included.

188. Willsou, Joseph. Joseph Willson enlisted in the First
N. H. Regt. in 1776, and also at various times afterwards. In
Feb., 1 78 1, he enlisted to remain during the war, and in conse-
sequence of the surrender of Cornwallis, which practically
closed the war, he was discharged in Dec, 1781.

189. Woodbury, John. John Woodbury was one of the
eight men that in 1776 " went from Winter Hill to Canada
and concluded the same back to Trenton." John Clark, Ben-
jamin Bullock and Samuel Whittemore hired John Woodbury,
and he enlisted July 12, 1779, in one of the N. H. battalions,
raised to reinforce the Continental Army and to aid in the de-
fense of R. I. His term of service under the last enlistment was
six months, and each of the men named above paid for two
months of his time.

190. Woodbur3\ Josiah, Jr. Josiah Woodbury, Jr., was one
of Capt. Levi Spaulding's Co., which marched from Ivyndebor-
ough Apr. 23, 1775, and then served one month and thirteen
days. He also passed muster Sept. 26, 1776, in Capt. McCon-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 205

Hell's Co. in New York. He was, therefore, in the battle of
White Plains. He was also in Capt. Peter Clark's Co, at B., as
substitute for Mr. Walter Ross.

191. Woodbury, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Woodbury was also
one of Capt. McConnell's Co., and was in the battle of White
Plains, N. Y.. Oct. 28, 1776. He was also in the battle of B.,
in Capt. Peter Clark's Co. as a substitute, or as hired by Mr.
Edmund Bickford.

192. Woodward, Eleazar. Eleazar Woodward hired Jacob
Button for three months in the R. I. campaign in July, 1778. He
also paid two months' bounty toward a six months' man to serve
in the Continental Army. He was one of the town committee,
chosen to enlist its quota Jan. 29, 1781. His name is on the re-
monstrance against the petition of the northwest part of the town
in 1783.

193. Woodward, Ithamar. Ithamar Woodward was one of
the men who enlisted Sept. 26, and continued in service till Dec.
I, 1776. He was in Capt. McConnell's Co. in New York, and
was in the battle of White Plains Oct. 28. He was one of the
strong remonstrants against being annexed to Greenfield, much
preferring to be joined to Francestown, a preference in which
the General Court gratified him, by annexing his and his asso-
ciates' estates to Francestown Dec. 11, 1792.

194. Woodward, John. John Woodward was one of the
three men who hired John Mellen to go to R. I. for six months,
the others being William Blaney and Moses Lewis. He lived
near the Francestown line, and opposed being set off into Green-
field.

This completes our list of Revolutionary men. It speaks for
itself with great and forceful eloquence, as well as for the town
in which these men lived.

A CENSUS OF REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.

In a letter from St. Paul, Minn., July 29th, 1891, W. H.
Grant, Esq., wrote to D. C. Grant, his brother : "I found hid
away in one corner of a book-case among a lot of public docu-
ments, at the Historical Library, the other da}', a very interest-
ing book. It was a census of the Revolutionary Pensioners
living in 1840, each town, county and state arranged by itself.
It is a book published by the Government in 1841, showing
name and age of pensioner and with whom the pensioner re-
sided. I give you the Lyndeborough and Greenfield lists with
their ages :

206

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

I,YNDEBOROUGH

Age

GREENFIELD

Age

Jonathan Butler

Joseph Eaton

Jedediah Russell

William Holley

Joshua Sargent

Ebenezer Farrington

Oliver Perham

Jacob Mclntire

Abraham Rose

Lucy Perry

Edmund Perkins

William Brooks

Phineas Kidder

Simeon Fletcher

Ruhama Burnham

Simon Low

Of all the Lyndeborough Revolutionary solfiiers tie wrote
that "Simeon Fletcher was the only one left, residing in either
Lyndeborough or Greenfield," when the book was published.
He states further, " I have examined the entire New Hamp-
shire list, and find the name of but one other Lyndeborough
soldier, John Purple, aged 97, then living in Amherst." John
Purple served for Lyndeborough, but was an Amherst resident
when he enlisted.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Mii,itia.

The excellent sketch of the Lafayette Artillery Co. by Mr.
Jacob A. Woodward* will be referred to as probably containing
the fullest and best information for present use.

It was written with unusual particularity and thoroughness
for the Company's Centennial celebration, Sept. 9, 1904.

THE LAFAYETTE ARTILLERY COMPANY.

In 1760 there were in the Province of New Hampshire, ten
regiments of militia, viz.: One of cavalry and nine of infantrj'.
The most of these had seen service in the French and Indian
war then just closing. New Hampshire had furnished more
than five thousand men for the six campaigns for the reduction
of Crown Point and the Canadas, and ending with the capture
of Montreal. The militia were thoroughly organized, both ofl&c-
ers and men having seen seven years of service. There is noth-
ing to show that any of the men of Lyndeborough, then Salem-
Canada, served in these campaigns, but it must be remembered
that the town was young, the settlers poor, and having all they
could do to maintain a foothold in their new country. In April,
1764, the town was incorporated, and on the fourth of October
following, John Stephenson was commissioned captain, and
Jacob Wellman ensign of the tenth company in the sixth regi-
ment of the militia of the Province of New Hampshire. The
commission of John Stephenson is in the possession of Willis J.
Stephenson of Lyndeborough, a great-grandson of the above
mentioned John. It is signed by Penning Wentworth, Captain-
General and Governor-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Hampshire. From that October day to the present
time, a period of one hundred and forty years, the town has
maintained one or more companies of active militia, ready to
take the field on short notice. It is to be regretted that no
roster of this first company can be found.

In 1773 the number of regiments was increased to twelve, and
the ofiicers Major-General and Brigadier-General for the first

*Mr Woodward s:iys : "We are indebted to Mr. Joseph A. Johnson for much of the in-
formation in regard to the early history of this company ; to valuable letters of the late
William H. Grant, Esq., and to Mr. Charles H. Tarbell for courteous help."

208 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

time were commissioned. In September, 1776, an act was
passed for forming and regulating the militia within the state,
greatly changing the whole system. The state militia was
divided into seventeen regiments. It provided for two classes
of soldiers, a "Training Band " and an " Alarm List."

The training band was made up of all the able-bodied male
persons in the state from sixteen years old to fifty, except cer-
tain persons in position and employment specified, and negroes,
mulattoes and Indians. There was to be one major-general, with
power at all times to draw forth the militia, or any part of them,
as he should judge expedient for the immediate defense of this
or any of the United States of America. The field officers were
one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel and two majors for each regi-
ment, and they were to divide their regiments into companies
consisting of, as near as might be, sixty-eight privates each.
The companies were to choose a captain, two lieutenants and
one ensign. Each officer and private soldier was to equip him-
self and be constantly provided with a good fire-arm, good ram-
rod, a worm, priming- wire and brush, a bayonet fitted to his
gun, a scabbard and belt therefor, and a cutting sword or a toma-
hawk or hatchet, a pouch containing a cartridge box that will
hold fifteen rounds of cartridges at least, a hundred buck-shot, a
jackknife, and tow for wadding, six flints, one pound of powder,
forty leaden balls, fitted to his gun, a knapsack and blanket, a
canteen or wooden bottle sufficient to hold one quart. Each
town was to provide and deposit in some safe place for use in
case of an alarm, a specified number of spades or shovels, axes
and picks, and to provide arms and equipment for those unable
to provide for themselves. Each company was to muster eight
times a year, including the regimental musters. Treating with
victuals or drink on any training or muster days subjected any
officers, so offending, to court martial.

The alarm list included all male persons from sixteen years of
age to sixty-five, not included in the training band, and not ex-
empted in the first section of the act. They were to serve in a
separate corps, were subject to be called out of their towns by
no officer under the rank of colonel, and once in every six
months they were to be called out by the captains of com-
panies of the training bands to have their arms and accoutre-
ment examined. Under the provisions of this act Lyndebor-
ough became a part of the Ninth regiment, whereof Daniel
Moore of Bedford was colonel. Pursuant to this act Peter Clark

THE MILITIA 209

became captain and Samuel Houston lieutenant of the Ivynde-
borough company. Both of these men subsequently did heroic
work in the cause of liberty. In 1780 a new militia act was
passed, but did not differ essentially from the preceding. The
next considerable change was made in 1792, after the adoption
of the present constitution, wherein it is declared that a " well
regulated militia is a proper, natural and sure defense of the
state." This act made many changes, and by the new arrange-
ment Lyndeborough became a part of the second battalion of the
26th regiment, and in 1796 .Daniel Gould was commissioned
major of the battalion, while the regiment was commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Pierce of Hillsborough, afterward
governor, and the father of President Pierce.

In 1803 several artillery companies were organized and an-
nexed to the regiments in the limits in which they were located.
It was also provided that there should be at least one company
of light infantry or grenadiers to each battalion, and a company
of cavalry and also of artillery to each regiment. It was also
provided that in forming companies of artillery and cavalry no
more than one-eleventh part of any infantry company should
enlist therein. It was also made unlawful for any non-commis-
sioned officer or private to fire any gun on the day or evening
of a muster, in or near any public road, or any house, or on or
near the place of parade, without the permission of a commis-
sioned officer.

It was also provided that the state should furnish one canrron
with carriage, harness and apparatus to each artillery company ;
also music, money and colors, that suitable meats and drinks,
or thirty-four cents in lieu thereof should be furnished each non-
commissioned officer and private, within their several towns, on
regimental or battalion musters. Each town was required to be
constantly provided with certain amounts of powder, balls, flints
and camp kettles, that these companies might constantly be in
readiness in case of an emergency.

Such, in brief, were the conditions in 1804, under which the
Lafayette Artillery Company was organized. The arrogance,
and acts of annoyance by Great Britain, which culminated a few
years later in the War of 1812, were stirring the public mind.
The people had but won their independence after a long, bloody
struggle, and they felt that to preserve their hard-won liberty,
they must have a well-drilled militia, and the military spirit ran
high. This company was first known as the Artillery Company

210 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

of the 22ncl Regiment, and was not christened the Lafayette
Artillery Company until many years later. The early history
of this organization is shrouded in the mist of a hundred years.
No records of the first twenty years of its existence can be found,
if, indeed, there ever were any ; but it would be a story of meet-
ings for drill, and of gathering at the muster-field, ' ' armed and
equipped as the law directs." Its first cannon, of which there
is any record, was an iron four-pounder, and was handled with
drag-ropes. This gun was condemned in 1844 as unfit for ser-
vice by the inspectors of the 22nd Regiment, and a brass six-
pounder was substituted. This gun is now in the possession of
the company. It bears the date, 1810, and is famous as the only
gun in the state service fit to be fired when the War of the Re-
bellion broke cut. It was taken to Concord at Governor Gil-
more's order, and used to fire salutes. Its voice has been heard
on many muster-fields and at many celebrations in the towns in
this section of the state. The company has come to regard it
with much veneration and affection. It is much to be wished
that a description of the first uniform of the company might here
be given, but nothing of the kind is available. The members of
the company wore side arms prior to 1856, and since that time
have carried muskets instead. Those side arms, in part, were a
short, broad-bladed sword worn in a belt.

The company was organized in Peterborough, and for a num-
ber of years was essentially a Peterborough affair. A majority of
its members were Peterborough men ; lyyndeborough came next,
and some men were enlisted from other towns. It will be noticed
that the commissioned officers for a number of years after its
organization were from Peterborough. As the years passed by,
Lyndeborough came to the fore in the nuinber of men enlisted.
Now, what came about in 1833 is a matter of record, but the
causes of the changes in that year are mostly a matter of tradi-
tion only. From stories of elderly men, from the fact that two
companies appeared on the muster-field in that year, both claim-
ing to be the Artillery Company of the 22nd Regiment, it would
seem to be a plausible theory that Lyndeborough insisted on
having the commissioned officers, and that Peterborough re-
sisted, and that there was a quarrel between the men of the two
towns, which resulted in a division of the company. The Peter-
borough contingent was commanded b)^ Captain Samuel Cary,
who had been its captain in 1829-30-31, and the men from
lyyndeborough and Wilton were led by Captain Eleazer Put-

THE MILITIA 211

nam. They had borrowed the famous "Molly Stark," a gun
owned by the New Boston Artillery Company, together with
their uniforms, and it was for Col. Luther Dascomb, who was
colonel of the regiment at the time, to decide which was the
artillery company of the regiment. Now, whether the fact that
some of the men in the Lyndeborough company were from Wil-
ton, Col. Dascomb 's town, had anything to do with his de-
cision, is a matter of conjecture, but, at any rate, he decided in
favor of the Lyndeborough company, and since that year (1833)
the organization has been known as a Lyndeborough institu-
tion. They sent up a squad of men and a pair of horses and
captured the old iron field-piece, which was theirs until con-
demned as unfit for service.

In connection with the above the following record from the
Orderly Book of the company may be of interest : —

WiivTON, Dec. 3, 1833.
" We, the undersigned, desirous of becoming an organized
Company of Artillery in the twenty-second ' Regiment ' of New
Hampshire Militia, do hereby agree to uniform and equip our-
selves according to the following plan, viz.: The cap shall be a
Bonaparte cap with a black ' Ploom,' the coat Blue and trimmed
with yellow ball buttons and yellow worsted cord ; with white
pantaloons, with black ' gaters ' in Pickets and black stocks,
yellow belts for the sword with a belt over the shoulder, and
Boots."

Eleazer Putnam Harvey Holt Moses Parmenter

William Holt Wm. Bachelder Samuel Osgood

Ezra Dane DaAdd Holt James Marshall

Solomon Cram Amos M. Whittemore Ezra Ellingwood

John F. Holt Smiley Blood Joseph Karr

Lyman Stone Dennis Abbott John B. Kidder

William Bayles Luther Cleaves John Parker

Isaiah Holt

Then follows the certification of the field ofi&cers that the
uniform was satisfactory, and that they (the Company) should
constitute the Artillery Company of the 22nd Regiment N. H.
Militia. Signed by

Luther Dascomb ) Field Officers 22nd
Samuel Ryan Jr. j Regt. N. H. Militia

The uniform described above is the oldest that can be re-
membered by anyone now living. Mr. Joseph A. Johnson says,
" It was probably worn many years prior to 1833."

212 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

The company was incorporated in 1837 and the following is
the notice thereof :

"Notice is hereby given that John F. Holt, John B. Kidder
and Amos M. Whittemore, their associates and successors, be
and hereby are made a body corporate and politic by the name
of the Lafayette Artillery Company in the 22nd Regiment New
Hampshire Militia, and that they may hold personal property
not to exceed six hundred dollars, and are entitled to all the
privileges incident to incorporations of a similar nature, and
that John F. Holt, John B. Kidder or Amos M. Whittemore, or
either two of them, may call a meeting for making by-laws for
the future observance of said Company, not repugnant to the
laws of the State, by giving 4 days' notice thereof personally
or in writing."

lyyndeborough, Aug. 25, 1837.

(The Adjutant General's ofl&ce gives it as Jan. 13, 1837.)

In 1840 the ladies of Lyndeborough made a silk flag and
presented it to the Company. It was carried many years and
although worn and faded it is still treasured by the Company as
a souvenir of the past. Some years later the late Col. King of
Wilton presented the Company with a staff for this flag, through
Amos Herrick, a member of the Company, Col. King being
unable to be present at the ceremony. The Company ordered
their clerk, Mr. J. A. Johnson, to write Mr. King a letter of
thanks for the gift. Another flag was presented by citizens of
the town in 1862. It was originally toxi8 feet in size, but has
been reduced by wear to 9x11, and is badly tattered and faded.

Feb. 22nd, 1891, at the annual celebration, Mr. Byron Putnam
presented a large flag to the Company. Mr. Putnam formally
presented the flag and Maj. C. H. Holt accepted in behalf of
the citizens and Company. This flag is 12x21 feet.

The earliest roster and roll of membership of which there is
any record is that of 1820. It is inserted here as a matter of
historical interest.

commissione;d officers.

James White, Capt.

Nathan Leathers, Lieut.

Isaac Hadley, Ensign.

Sergeant, Benjamin Brackett.

The commissions of these officers were dated April 20, 1820.

PRIVATES.

Charles M. Howe William Matthews Pliney E. Yer

THE MILITIA

213

Milton Carter
Charles Smith
John Barber
Robert White
John J. Holt
Norton Hunt
Samuel Gates
James H. Swan
Nathaniel Felt

Ahamaaz Jewett
Samuel H. Howe
William Breed
Mathew Grey
William Scott
James Wilder
Jeremiah Steele
Eli Upton

James Howe
William Puffer
Charles Fletcher
Anson Moore
Silas Barber
Isaiah T. Smith
Adam Miller
Jonathan Felt

A large majority of these men were probably from Peter-
borough.

From a careful examination of the records it would seem that
the following persons were members of the Company from 1833
to 1838 which includes the year of its incorporation :

Eleazer Putnam
William Holt
Ezra Dane
Solomon Cram
John F. Holt
Lyman Stone
William Bales
Isaiah Holt
William Bachelder
Smiley Blood
Dennis Abbott
Luther Cleaves
Moses Parmenter
Samuel Osgood
James Marshall
Daniel P. Goldsmith
Carl Searles
Thomas B. Kidder
Franklin H. Kidder
Benjamin F. Stevens
John Frye
Calvin Holt

Henry Herrick
Putnam Cram
Sumner Blanchard
George Bales
Andrew Harwood
Daniel Holt Herrick
Rodney Hunt
John Hutchinson
Ezra Ellingwood
Joseph Karr
John B. Kidder
John Parker
Alvin Upton
Joseph H. Ford
Jesse Read
Sylvester Bradford
John I. Carson
Albert Hardy
Jonas ^Vheeler
Otis R. Fisher
John R. Fish

Amos M. Whittemore
John S. Hutchinson
Isaac Butterfield
Sherebiah Manning
Eben Averill
John S. Fuller
John Adams
Adney C. Searles
Abel Hutchinson
Charles Osgood
Asher Bennett
Joshua Rogers
Enos Crooker
Henry A. Abbott
Alonzo W, Stiles
Joel H. Tarbell
Samuel B. Bales
Josiah Parker Jr.
John Putnam
Joseph A. Johnson
James H. Grant

Phillip Putnam

This company is now one of the oldest military organizations
in the country. Decade after decade it has made its appearance
in the camp and on the muster field, and much might be writ-
ten of scenes and incidents connected with its history, but the
limits of this sketch forbid. It was a part of the New Hamp-
shire militia from 1804 until 1866 or thereabouts, when the N,
H. National Guard was organized and the old regimental
divisions were done away with. From 1866 to 1878 it was a
part of the First Regiment N. H. N. G. ; in the Second Regi-
ment from 1878 until 1882, when it was mustered out of the

214 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

National Guard. As an incorporated independent company it
has maintained its organization since.

The Company was mustered into the U. S. service Aug. i,
1864, at Lyndeborough, by Capt. William M. Graham, First
Artillery, U. S. A., and was sent to Newcastle, N. H., to do gar-
rison duty. It was mustered out Sept. 23, 1864, at Fort Consti-
tution, Newcastle, by Thomas S. Dunbar, First lyieut. 14th In-
fantry, U. S. A. Previous to this enlistment many of its mem-
bers had seen service at the front. This company had 135 men
in the service of the United States during the war of the Re-
bellion. The first New Hampshire man killed in that war was
Harvey Holt, a member of this Company. Its Rolls have con-
tained the names of many of Lyndeborough 's most honored
citizens. Their roll books contain the names of upwards of
700 persons. In 1878 the members of the Company arranged
to celebrate the seventy-fourth anniversary of their organiza-
tion, and Feb. 22nd, the birthday of the " Father of our Coun-
try," was selected, and Joseph Chamberlain, a former captain,
made the address. From that year until the present, the day
has been celebrated by the Company by a free dinner, an ora-
tion, music, speaking by invited guests, and a ball in the even-
ing. Its observance has gradually grown until now it is the
one day in which the people from all sections of the town get
together for a good time. It was through their influence and
exertions that the commodious hall at the south village was
secured, they contributing liberally to its cost, and also giving
the lot of land upon which it is built. Part of it is now used
as the Armory. It was erected in 1888.

Mr. Joseph A. Johnson is the senior member now living, hav-
ing enlisted April 15, 1838, and Mr. Eli Clark Curtis is the
oldest living captain.

The first captain of the Company was James Wilson of
Peterborough, and he held his commission from 1804 until 1810,
He was the son of Major Robert Wilson. He graduated from
Harvard College in 1789, and chose law as his profession. He
practised in Peterborough until 1815, when he removed to
Keene, where he died Jan. 4, 1839, aged 73 years. He was
said to be a talented and successful lawyer. He was elected
Representative to Congress in 1809 and 181 1. He was the
father of James Wilson, Jr., a noted orator during the presi-
dental campaign of 1840. This son was major-general of the

THE MILITIA 215

New Hampshire militia at one time, and was best known as
General Jim Wilson.

1810-14. The second captain was Nathaniel Morrison, born at Peter-
borough, Oct. II, 1779. He was a carriage and chair maker, and at one
time carried on his business at Fayetteville, N. C. At the urgent solici-
tation of his father he returned to Peterborough. There came with him
a young mechanic named John H. Steele, who afterward became gover-
nor of New Hampshire. Capt. Morrison died in Mississippi, Sept. 11,
1819.

1814-20. The third captain was Jonathan Mitchell, born at Peterbor-
ough Jan. II, 1787. He died at Belvidere, N. Y., Sept. i, 1853. His
father was a soldier in the Continental Army.

1820-23. The fourth captain was James White, born at Peterborough,
March 31, 1784. He died in that town July 6, 1859. He was the grand-
father of Gen. Daniel M, White of Peterborough, a soldier in the Civil
War.

1823-24. The fifth captain was Isaac Hadley, born at Lexington, Mass.,
Aug. 9, 1784. Died at Peterborough, June 25, 1843. He was a brickmaker
by trade, and a sergeant in the United States Army in the War of 1812.
His father, Ebenezer Hadley, was a resident of Lexington, Mass., and
was one of that gallant band of yeomen who stood on Lexington common
and fought the British on that memorable 19th of April.

1824-27. The sixth captain was William Scott, born at Peterborough,
Feb. 19, 1801. Died Sept. 24, 1846. He was a farmer by occupation, and
was the father of Col. Charles Scott of Peterborough.

1827-29. The seventh captain was Norton Hunt, born at Peterborough,
March 27, 1800. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and at one
time was colonel of the 22nd Regiment, New Hampshire militia. He died
March 30, 1885.

1829-32. The eighth captain was Samuel Carey, born at Jaffrey, June i,
1899. He was a successful farmer. He died March 27, 1886.

1832-33. There seem to have been two captains chosen during this
period. Of L. Hill we have no record. Capt. Ashley Loring was born at
Peterborough, April 21, 1807. Died in Ohio, Jan. 28, 1849.

1833-36. The eleventh captain was Eleazer Putnam, born at Lynde-
borough, Jan. 8, 1801, and died in that town, Dec. 27, 1866. He was a de-
scendant of one of the early settlers of Lyndeborough, and was the first
captain chosen after the headquarters of the Company was removed to
Lyndeborough. He was by trade a millwright. He served with the
Company at Fort Constitution for a short time during the Rebellion.
One of his sons, Albert M., was a soldier in that war.

1836-37. The twelfth captain was William Holt, said to have been an
inhabitant of Wilton. We have no further record.

1837-38. The thirteenth captain was Lyman Stone, born in 1803. Died
at Milford, Nov. 25, 1882. He was for many years a resident of Wilton.

1838-39. Of Moses Parmenter, the fourteenth captain, we have no
record except that he was said to have been a Wilton man.

216 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1839-40. The fifteenth captain was Solomon Cram, born at Roxbury,
Vt., Nov. 5, 1802. Died in Lyudeborough March 11, 1863. He was a
blacksmith by trade. Three of his sons, members of the Company,
served in the War of the Rebellion, viz., George M., Orrin N., and Azro
D. They are lineal descendants of the first settler of Ly ndeborough .

1840-42. John Fletcher Holt was the sixteenth captain. He was born
Nov. 12, 1807, and died April 17, 1883. He was bom and died in Lynde-
borough. He was a farmer and carpenter.

1842-43. The seventeenth captain was John Boffee Kidder, born Aug.
16, 1811. Died in Milford, May 2, 1892. He was a farmer by occupation,
and for many years a resident of Wilton. He was a son of Ephraim and
Betsey (Boffee) Kidder, and was a descendant of one of the oldest fami-
lies in town.

1843-44. The eighteenth captain was Amos Marshall Whittemore, born
at Greenfield, Jan. 15, 1815, and died in that town Dec. 15, 1890. A
farmer by occupation.

1844-45. Jonathan Stephenson was the nineteenth captain, born at
Lyndeborough, March 19, 1807. Died Nov. 10, 1903. He was a descend-
ant of John Stephenson, one of the early settlers, and was a life-long
resident of L,yndeborough. He was a farmer and millwright. It was
through his influence that the Company secured the gun from the state,
which is in their custody at present. He was the son of John and Mary
(Hildreth) Stephenson.

1845-47. The twentieth captain was Ezra Dane. He lived at South
Lyndeborough on a farm connected with the parsonage, at the time he
was captain. No better record.

1847-48. Joshua Rogers was the twenty-first captain. He was a resi-
dent of lyyndeborough at the time he was captain of the Company, and
died at Manchester, N. H. No further record.

1848-49. The twenty-second captain was Joseph Chamberlain, born at
Milford, Feb. 22, 1821, and died at Paxton, Mass., in 1886. He was the
son of Joseph and Sarah (Abbott) Chamberlain. He was [a lumber
dealer. In 1878, when the Company first celebrated the 22d of February,
he was selected to make the address.

1849-50. The twenty-third captain was Nathaniel Jones, son of Benja-
min and Chloe (Farrington) Jones, born at Lyndeborough, Nov. 15, 181 1.
Died at Natick, Mass., Dec. 28, 1878. He was a farmer.

1850-65. Joel H. Tarbell was the twenty-fourth captain. He was the
son of Joel and Betsey (Shattuck) Tarbell, born at Mason, Feb. 6, 1816.
Died at Lyndeborough, Feb. 14, 1891. He held his commission as cap-
tain fifteen years, the longest term in the history of the Company. He
was its captain when the Company was mustered into the service 'of the
United States.

1865-67. Eli Clark Curtis was the twenty-fifth captain, born at Lynde-
borough, May 3, 1821, the son of Eli and Sarah (Loring) Curtis. He is
the oldest captain of the Company now living. He has been a life-long
resident of Ivyndeborough. He is a farmer by occupation.

1867-70. The twenty-sixth captain was Charles Henry Holt, son of

THE MILITTA 217

Abiel and Olivia (Proctor) Holt, born Jan. 14, 1828, at Milford, Died
Jan. 31, 1897, at Lyndeborough. He was captain also from 1875 to 1878,
and from 1882 to 1885, and from 1886 to 1890, making him the thirtieth,
thirty-third and thirty-fifth captain of the Company. During the later
years of his life he was postmaster at South Lyndeborough.

1870-72. The twenty-seventh captain was John Gage, born June 15,
1836, at Wayne Co., Miss., the sou of David and Betsey (Putnam) Gage.
He is a mason by trade and resides at Wilton.

1872-74. Andy Holt was the twenty-eighth captain. He was born at
Lyndeborough Feb. i, 1842, the son of David and Ann (Cochran) Holt.
He was captain also of the Company from 1878 to 1881, from 1890 to 1891,
and is its present commanding officer, making him the thirty-first, thirty-
sixth and forty-fifth captain of the Company. He was a soldier during
the War of the Rebellion.

1874-75. The twenty-ninth captain was Albert S. Conant, born July 22,
1840, the son of Samuel and Abigail E. (Reynolds) Conant. He was born
at Antrim. He is a veteran of the Civil War, resides at South Lynde-
borough, and is a carpenter by trade.

1881-82. The thirty-second captain was David G. Dickey, born Oct. 24,
1836, the son of Adam and Keziah (Clement) Dickey. He is a farmer and
carpenter, was a soldier in the Civil War, and now resides at Milford.
He was also captain of the Company from 1885 to 1886, making him the
thirty-fourth commanding officer as well.

1891-92; Henry A. Proctor, the thirty-seventh captain, was born in
Stoddard, N. H., Sept. 22, 1854. He is a carpenter by trade, and now re-
sides at Wilton, N. H.

1892-93. The Thirty-eighth captain was Frank H. Eaton, born Feb. i,
1855, the son of George D. and Eliza (South wick) Eaton. He was born
at East Cambridge. While captain of the Company he lived in Lynde-
borough ; was a farmer. He now resides at Somerville, Mass.

1993-94- John C. Carkin was the thirty-ninth captain, born at Lynde.
borough, March 7, 1844, the son of David and Lydia (Abbott) Carkin. He
is a descendant of one of the early settlers of Dyndeborough, was a sol-
dier in the Civil War, and has always made his home in this town. He is
at present in the employ of the Whiting firm of Wilton.

1894-96. Joseph A. Blanchard was the fortieth captain, born at Milford,
Nov. 16, 1829, the son of Luther and Mary (Kinson) Blanchard. He is a
farmer at South Dyndeborough, was a soldier in the Civil War, and has
been a member of the Company for over fifty years.

1896-98. Roy N. Putnam was the forty-first captain, born at L,yndebor-
ough, July 9, 1870, the son of Edwin H. and Eliza (Keyes) Putnam. He
is a descendant of Ephraim Putnam, one of the very early settlers of the
town ; is the present postmaster at South Lyndeborough and keeps a
general store there. He was also forty-fourth captain, 1903-1904.

1898-1900. The forty-second captain was Sewell M. Buck, born at Nor-
way, Me., April 16, 1839, the son of Austin and Sarah (Coburn) Buck.
He is a painter by occupation, was a soldier in the Civil War, and resides
at Lyndeborough.

218

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1900-03. Edward Ross was the forty-third captain, born at Wellington,
Conn., July 4, 1S61, the son of Samuel and Sarah (McMullen) Ross.
His father died from a wound received at the Battle of Gettysburg. Re-
sides at South Lyndeborough.

1904-05. Capt. Andy Holt was the forty-fifth captain. It will be seen
that thirty-six men served as captains during the century of the Com-
pany's existence.

1904.
The following is the Roster and Roll of Membership in the
centennial year of the Company :

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Andy Holt, Captain.

Edward Ross, xst Lieut.

Fred A. Holt, 2d Lieut.

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Algernon W. Putnam, ist Sergt.

Walter S. Tarbell, 2d Sergt.

Carl J. Bishop, 3d Sergt.

Willie F. Herrick, 4th Sergt.

James H. Williams, 5th Sergt.
Fred Moore, Corp.

Charles L. Perham, Corp.

James A. Putnam, Corp.

Albert E. Swinnington, Corp.

John A. Spalding, Corp.
Charles H. Tarbell, Quartermaster.

PRIVATES.

Harry F. Hartshorn
Charles E. Putnam
George S. Proctor
Fred W. Proctor
Willie J. Gangloff
Frank J. Bishop
L. Nute Woodward
Edward L. Curtis
Perley L. Holden
Warren A. Nichols
William H. Cheever

John C. Carkin
Sewell M. Buck
Albert S. Conant
George M. Cram
Ethan A. Woodward
Arthur J. Grant
Alfred T. Ford
Azro D. Cram
John W. Hartshorn
Roy N. Putnam
John M. Curtis
Charles D. Riley

THE LIGHT INFANTRY.

Lyndeborough had also another military company which it
would be not only impolitic, but almost unpardonable, to over-
look or ignore. This, also, as well as the Lafayette Artillery,
formed a part of the 22nd Regiment. Between the artillery and
the other infantrj- companies, however, this distinction should
be borne in mind. The artillery company could enlist men

Herbert A. Cheever
Alfred K. Shepard
Walter T. Shepard
Frank H. Boutwell
Albert H. Hayford
Harry W. Cheever
Percy W. Putnam
Elmer J. Blanchard
Harry W. Holt
Clarence A. Eastman
George S. Buttrick

THE MILITIA 219

from any of the different towns in the military district. The
infantry companies were restricted to the enlistment of men
residing in the town where the company had its headquarters.

The other company referred to above was "The lyight In-
fantry," or the 2nd Light Infantry of the 22nd Regiment. This
was the " Training Band " of the town. They were to provide
themselves with the regulation equipment.

We have no distinct account of the organization of the Light
Infantry. But we have muster rolls, and lists of its commis-
sioned officers with dates, and other papers of legal tenor which
certify to its complete organization for service. Although want-
ing authoritative record of the organization of the Lynde-
borough Company, we are fortunate in having a complete mus-
ter roll of the Third Company of the 26th Regiment of the
New Hampshire militia.

"Oct. I," (1805) "The Company was warned by Daniel
Putnam, commandant, at the head of his company, to appear
on parade the 7th Instant." "Oct. 7, the Company were
warned by said Putnam to appear on parade near to John
Gibson's in Francestown, for the purpose of mustering with
the regiment the nth Day of October, Instant."

We imagine that some of our readers may take an interest
in reading the document which follows :

The Roll of the Third Company of the Twenty-sixth Regi-
ment of N. H. Militia, warned by Capt. Daniel Putnam to ap-
pear at the regimental muster at Francestown, Oct. 11, 1805.

SERGEANTS.

Nathan Wheeler Jacob Manning Timothy Putnam I. H. Goodrich

FiFERS.

Thomas I^akin Reuben Button

DRUMMERS.

John Besom, Jr. Chase Hadley

David Averill Aaron Carkin

Asa Blanchard Asa Carson

Crosby Blanchard Henry Cram

David Butterfield, Joseph Cram

Samuel Butterfield, Jr. James Cram, Jr.

Thomas Boffee Jonathan Chamberlain,

Jonathan Butler, Jr. Daniel Chamberlain

Samuel Badger Dudley Carleton

Daniel Badger Asher Curtis

Josiah Brown Israel Cram

Rufus Badger John Clark, Jr.

James Cram Peter Clark, Jr.

220

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

S. W. Parker
Ephraim Putnam, 2nd
Jonathan Putnam
Ephraim Putnam, 3rd
Nathaniel Putnam
Ebenezer Pearson
Robert Parker, Jr.
Solomon Parker
John Proctor, Jr.
Oliver Perham, Jr.
Timothy Richardson
Jedediah Russell, Jr.
John Russell
John Russell, Jr.
David Stiles
Lemuel Savels
Jonathan T. Steward
Oliver Scripture
H. Ladd Sargent
John Sargent
David Senter
Reuben Stiles
Benjamin Senter, Jr.
Oliver Senter
Eliezer Woodward, Jr.
Israel Woodward
John Woodward, Jr.
Ephraim Woodward
Alpheus Wilkins
Clark Whittemore
James Whittemore
Daniel Woodward
Simon Wilkins
Oliver Whiting

Whole number enrolled, loi
OFFICERS.
Capt. Daniel Putnam L,t. Benjamin Goodrich Ens. Caleb Huston

The preceding roll, possibly the oldest one of the company,
appears to be in the penmanship of Nathan Wheeler. We
now present Sergeant Ebenezer Hutchinson's roll of the same
company for the year 181 2.*

ROLI. FOR OCT. 12 TRAINING, l8l2.
SERGEANTS.

Moses Dutton
Thomas Dutton
William Dutton
Joseph EHinwood
Peter Flanders
David Farrington
Benjamin Fuller
Joseph Farnam
Lewis Fisher
Daniel Gardner
John Giddings
Charles Frye Hutchinson
Ebenezer Hutchinson Jr.
David Holmes
Samuel Hardy
Jotham Hildreth
Andrew Harwood
John Hartshorn, Jr.
Samuel Hartshorn
Jonathan Hartshorn
John Melody
Benjamin Holt
Benjamin Jones, Jr.
Nathaniel Jones
Elbridge Jones
Phineas Kidder, Jr.
Thomas Kidder
Joseph Melody
John Medes
Jacob Mclntire
Timothy Ordway
Joshua Orne
Samuel Pearson
Timothy Pearson, Jr.
James Pearson

Hutchinson

Dutton

Chamberlain

Putnam

Clark

FIFERS.
Richardson Bointon Averill

* The spelling of the roll is copied except in the name of Putnam, where the Ser-
geant has Putman.

THE MILITIA

221

Besom

DRUMMERS.
Putnam Whitmarsh

Pearson

George Allen

Joseph Carter Abbott

Samuel Allen

Amaziah Blanchard

Jotham Blanchard

John BuUard

Daniel Bullard

Jacob Butler

Thomas Boardman, Jr.

Daniel N. Boardman

Thomas Buffee

Israel Brown

Manley Butler

Allen Cross

Henry Cram

Joseph Cram

John Cristy

James Cram

Joseph Chamberlain, 2nd

Nath^ Chamberlin

Samuel Chamberlin

Joseph Chamberlin

John Chamberlin

Peter Chamberlin

Asa Chamberlin

Dudley Carlton

Eli Curtis, Jun'

Asher Curtis

Benj=' Curtis

Henry Campbell

John Carson

John Carkin

Samuel Dutton

Wm. Dutton

Moses Dutton

Warren Damon

Ira S. Ellenwood

Daniel Eepes

Nehemiah French, Jr.

James Fuller

Frederick Fuller

Archelaus Fuller

James Ferguson

Jareb Gould

Daniel Gardner

Francis Gideons

Nath^ Hutchinson

Samuel Howard

Jacob Howard
Jotham Hildreth
Mark Hadley
Samuel Hartshorn
Ira Houston
Benjamin Jones, Jr.
Nathan Jones
Jacob Jones
Ephraim Kidder, Jr.
Thomas Kidder
Asa Manning
John Medes
Enoch Ordway, Jr.
Robert Parker
Carlton Parker
Moses Pearsons
Timothy Pearsons, Jr.
Jesse Pearsons
Ephraim Putnam, 3d
Joseph Putnam
Benjamin Putnam
John Perham
Samuel Perham
Brackley Rose
Jotham Reed
John Russell
Jedidiah Russell, Jr.
James Russell
Wm. Russell
Ephraim P. Russell
Jesse Raimond
Timothy Richardson
Wm. Richardson
Lemuel Savels
Henry Spaulding
John Sargent
Bodwell Sargent
Joseph S. Stone
Benjamin Senter
Oliver Senter
Asa Senter
John Sterns
Tyler Town
John Town
Ebenezer Tower
Russell Upton
Elijah Upton
Israel Woodward

222

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Aaron Woodward
Daniel Woodward
David Woodward
Samuel Woodward

John Woodward, Q.
Ephraim Woodward, 2nd
Caleb Whittemore
Josiah Wheeler

lyists of the ofl&cers of the 2nd Companyof the 22nd Regiment,
and the dates of their commissions.

Timothy Putnam

Captain

June 7, 1814

Daniel Chamberlain

Nov. 13, 1818

Resigned June 8, 1819.

David Putnam, Jr.

Captain

June 8, 1819

Resigned Sept. 4, 1820.

Daniel N. Boardman

Captain

Sept. 4, 1820

Oliver Whiting

April II, 1825

Peter Clark

" 8, 1826

Samuel Marble

((

" 25, 1828

Charles Parker

((

" 14, 1829

Jonathan Whiting

March i, 183 1

Jacob Woodward

((

Dec. 10, 1832

David J. Putnam

April 9, 1834

Albert C. French

" 5. 1837

Putnam Woodward

Nov. I, 1837

John Dolliver

May 19, 1842

Luther Cram

" 8, 1843

Putnam Woodward

July 9, 1844

John Dolliver

((

June 18, 1846

Ebenezer Hutchinson, Jr.

Ivieutenant

June 7, 1814

Jacob Butler

" 8, 1819

Resigned Sept. 4, 1820.

Oliver Whiting

Lieutenant

Sept. II, 1820

Peter Clark

April II, 1825

Samuel Jones

" 8, 1826

Charles Parker

" 25, 1828

Jonathan Whiting

*' 14, 1829

Jacob Woodward

March i, 183 1

David Johnson Putnam

Dec. 10, 1832

Minard Putnam

April 9/1834

Sylvester Proctor

Nov. I, 1837

John Dolliver

Aug. 14, 1838

Daniel Chamberlain

Ensign

June 7, 1814

Jacob Butler

Nov. 13, 1818

Daniel N. Boardman

(

June 8, 1819

Silas Wilkins

Sept. 4, 1820

Peter Clark

(

April 19, 1822

Samuel Jones

" II, 1825

Samuel Marble

" 8, 1826

Jonathan Whiting

" 25, 1828

Jacob Woodward

(

" 14, 1829

David Johnson Putnam

(

March i, 1831

Ephraim H. Putnam

Dec. 10, 1832

THE MILITIA 223

Albert C. French Ensign Aug. 29, 1836

Rodney C. Boutwell " " 13, 1838

A. Russell " June 18, 1846

REGIMENTAL, FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

Timothy Putnam Lt. Col. Com'dg. June 20, 1820

Major June 20, 1818

Colonel June 20, 1820

Discharged July 26, 1824, and removed to Lowell, Mass.

Daniel Wardwell

Surgeon

May 21,

1818

Israel Herrick

Surgeon's Mate

Jan. 19,

1822

Nathan Jones

Surgeon

Aug. 28,

1826

Nathaniel Merrill

Chaplain

Apr. 30,

1821

David J. Putnam

Major

June 16,

1836

Declined.

Daniel Proctor

Major

June 29,

1838

Declined Sept. 3, 1838.

Putnam Woodward

Major

July 2,

1841

U. Col.

June 24,

1842

William G. French

Paymaster

Aug. 21,

1842

The foregoing lists of officers, with the dates of their commis-
sions, were procured by W. H. Grant, Esq., from the Hon.
Ezra Stearns, secretary of state of New Hampshire, and were
among the papers of David C. Grant. The records show that a
flourishing military company had its home among our hills,
many of whose members served in the Revolutionary War, as
well as in that of 181 2. The Light Infantry thus on record
was sometimes designated the 2nd Company and sometimes the
3rd Company of the 22nd Regiment. This variation in name was
due to a different arrangement of the companies in the regi-
ment.

" The Light Infantry " was a uniformed company. Its uni-
form consisted of white pantaloons, red coats, a tall cap with
white plume tipped with red. They were frequently styled
"Red-coats."

THE ALARM LIST.

The body of militia thus designated constituted a third com-
pany. They were called into service only in cases of emergency,
but were required by law to parade once in six months. In con-
sequence of training so little, they could not discharge their
firearms with the same promptness and precision as the Light In-
fantry. The fire of the latter came like the report of a single
gun; the alarm li.st men when firing went "slam! bang!"
from which cause they were called " Slam-Bangs."

Mr. Joseph A. Johnson, one of the later captains, of this

224 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

company, kindly furnished me the following statement relating
to the body : —

" Lyndeborough has always been noted for its military spirit.
Early in its history military duty was compulsory, and all males
between eighteen and forty-five years of age were enrolled and
designated as infantry. As time passed along they began to
form independent companies under the names of light infan-
try, artillery and cavalry. The infantry, an un-uniformed
body, was kept up as a sort of reserve from which to replenish
the uniformed companies, which, however, were restricted to a
certain per cent, of the infantry. Sometime in the fifties they
ceased to do military duty, but were enrolled until the national
guard was formed. The Lyndeborough body was known as the
5th company of the infantry of the 22nd Regiment. Such com-
panies were generally known as the Slam Bangs, from the fact
that when taking part in the sham fight in the old regimental
musters, and drawn up in front of the supposed enemy, they dis-
charged their muskets so promiscuously that they would have
endangered each other, had they fired bullets instead of blank-
shot."

The lists of the officers with the dates of their commissions,
procured by W. H. Grant, Esq., from Hon. Ezra Stearns, sec-
retary of state, are as follows : —

OFFICERS OF THE 5TH CO. OF THE 22ND REGIMENT.

Henry Isaac Captain Nov. 2, 1819

Charles Whitmarsh " Aug. 30, 1821

Israel Putnam " April 13, 1822

Ebenezer Russell " Feb. 22, 1826

David W. Grimes " - March 24, 1827

Israel Putnam " July 8, 1828

Newton Boutwell " Aug. 20, 1829

Samuel Hartshorn " Nov. 25, 1831

Jonathan Stephenson " April 9, 1834

Daniel Proctor " Jan. 23, 1836

John J. Martin " June 17, 1839

Phineas C. Kidder " April 8, 1848

Asa Hill " June 14, 1843

Levi H. Woodward " Feb. i, 1844

Samuel Karr " March 25, 1845

Joseph A. Johnson " April 18, 1848

William L. Whitteuiore " Aug. 28, 1848

William J. Herrick " Aug. 12, 1850

Joseph Saunders, Jr. Lieutenant Sept. 2, 1819

Israel Putnam " Aug. 13, 1821

Oliver Bixby " April 13, 1822

THE MILITIA

225

Daniel Cram

Lieutenant

April 28, 1824

Ebenezer Russell

April 20, 1825

David Grimes

Feb. 22, 1826

Brackley Rose

March 24, 1827

William Richardson

July's, 1828

Asa Blanchard

June 16, 1828

Samuel Hartshorn

Aug. 20, 1829

Jonathan Stephenson

Nov. 25, 1 83 1

John Hartshorn

April 9, 1834

Daniel Proctor

July 6, 1835

Benjamin J. Martin

Jan. 23, 1836

Phineas C. Kidder

June 17, 1839

Asa Hill

April 8, 1841

Levi H. Woodward

June 14, 1843

Samuel Karr

Feb. I, 1844

Joseph A. Johnson

March 25, 1845

William L. Whittemore

April 18, 1848

William J. Herrick

Aug. 28, 1848

Charles M. Butler

Aug. 12, 1850

Isaac Kimball

Ensign

Nov. 2, 1819

Oliver Bixby

Aug. 30, 1821

Benjamin Chamberlain

April 13, 1822

David Grimes

April 20, 1825

Thomas H. Leverett

Feb. 22, 1826

Franklin Hadley

March 24, 1827

Newton Boutwell

July 8, 1828

John Carleton

June 16, 1829

Benjamin J. Boutwell

Aug. 20, 1829

John Ramsdell

Nov. 25, 183 1

Royal Tupper

Mar. 15, 1832

Benjamin Jones, Jr.

((

Jan. 23, 1836

Richard N. Dolliver

May 16, 1838

Levi H. Woodward

April 8, 1841

Samuel Karr

June 14, 1843

Joseph A. Johnson

July I, 1844

Jonathan H. Butler

March 25, 1845

William L. Whittemore

March 26, 1846

William J. Herrick

April 18, 1848

William A. Jones

Aug. 28, 1848

David J. Carkin

Aug. 12, 1850

CAVALRY OF THE 22ND REGT.

No list of the rank and file of this cavalry company has come
to our hand. A few of our citizens, however, were commis-
sioned ofl&cers in it, and their names are, therefore, preserved.
In the cavalry company of the 22nd Regiment were :

John Houston
Resigned

2nd. Lieutenant June 7, 1814

1st. Lieutenant June 4, 1816

May 21, 1S18

226 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Jonathan Clark Cornet Aug. 31, 1818

2nd. Lieutenant April 15, 1819

1st. Lieutenant April 24, 1820

Dexter Burton Cornet March 3, 1830

• 2nd. Lieutenant Sept. 5, 1831

1st. Lieutenant April 17, 1833

This completes our record of the militia of the Twenty-Sec-
ond Regiment, which was in itself a miniature army.

The following papers were among the old documents of the
late David Putnam, Jr., for a time Capt. of the Light Infantry,
and were kindly entrusted to the writer for use in this history by
Mrs. Susanna P. Hartshorn and Mrs. F. B. Richards: —

To Daniel Putnam Esq. Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of
Hillsborough ;

I, the subscriber, Clerk of the Compan}^ commanded by David Putnam
Jr., do hereby give information against the following persons, who being
duly enrolled in said company, and being duly notified to meet with
said company on the second Day of May, Anno Domini 1820, were guilty
of the offense and did incur the forfeitures set against their respective
names,

Edward Herrick, neglecting to appear on said day, %2.
Joseph Cram, being deficient of cartridge box, 25c.
Eli Curtis, Jr., for being deficient of Cartridge box and bayonet on said

day, 50c.
Eli Holt, for neglecting to appear on said day, $2.
Joseph Putnam, for being deficient of Knapsack, on said day, 20c.
Jesse Reed, for being deficient of a priming wire and brush, and two

spare flints on said day, 20c.
John South wick, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day 25c.
David Smith, for being deficient of a cartridge box and canteen 35c.
John Town, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day 25c.
Ephraim P. Woodward, for being deficient of a bayonet, knapsack and

canteen on said day, 55c.
John Clark, for neglecting to appear on said day, $2.
Allen Brown, for neglecting to appear on said day, %2.
James Whittemore, for neglecting to appear on said day, $2.
Jonathan Cochran, for being deficient of a cartridge box. Knapsack, and

priming-wire and Brush, on said day, 55c.
Andrew Smith, for being deficient of a cartridge box, on said day, 25c.
John Cram, 2nd, for being deficient of a ramrod and Knapsack, on said

day, 40c.
William Holt, for being deficient of a cartridge box, on said day, 25c.
Silas Chamberlain, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day, 25c.
William Summers, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day, 25c.
Abijah Spaulding, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day, 25c.
Charles P. Fowle, for being deficient of a cartridge box on said day, 25c.
I, therefore, agreeable to my oath of office and in compliance with the

THE MILITIA 227

requisitions of the law in this behalf, request that you would issue a
summons to each of the Persons named in the above information to ap-
pear before you and shew cause if any he has, why it should not be ad-
judged that he pay the forfeiture set against his name for the offence or
offenses which he is therein alleged to have committed.
Dated at Lyndeborough, this fifth day of June,
in the year of Our Lord, 1820.

Oliver Whiting, Clerk of the Co.
Commanded by, David Putnam, Jr.

MUSIC RECEIPTS
Received of
David Putnam Captain of the 2nd. Lt. Infantry Company in the 22nd.
Regt. the sums set to our names, for which we agree to furnish ourselves
with Instruments of Music for training, for two years from the first Day
of May 1820.

John Besom, Jr. I2.25

Israel Putnam 2.25

Ebenezer Pearson, Jr. 2.00
William Richardson i.oo
Edward Herrick .50

CHAPTER IX.

The War of 1812 and the Mexican War.

For several years previous to the above date the governments
of both Great Britain and France had been infringing upon the
rights of the American Repubhc by irritating and lawless acts,
which they imagined they could practise at their pleasure with
assured impunity. The indignation of the people grew hot
against their unprincipled assailants. There were then, as now,
two great parties in American politics which were as ready as
the parties of today to traduce and incriminate each other. The
parties were called Federalists and Republicans. The latter
were accused of partiality for France, the ally of our colonies in
their war for independence ; the former were charged with
undue fondness for Great Britain, the old oppressor and enemy
of the colonies. While the people were thus divided, it was no
trivial matter to guide national affairs. The British navy kept
repeating its offences against American seamen. British
cruisers claimed the right to search American ships ; and they
seized and impressed able-bodied American sailors, under pre-
text that they were British subjects.

' ' These outrages American vessels were often too weak to re-
sist. The frigate Chesapeake, when starting on a distant voy-
age, was unexpectedly attacked by the British ship Leopard,
which had been enjoying the hospitality of an American port.
Several of her crew were killed, and four men were impressed
and carried on board of the I^eopard, on the plea that they vi^ere
deserters. Jefferson, in a proclamation, immediately ordered all
British war vessels to quit the waters of the United States."*

To distress England, he forbade American vessels to leave
port, which, while England was involved in the Napoleonic
wars, had done most of the carrying trade of Europe. This em-
bargo was found very injurious to American commerce. After
fourteen months it was repealed, and a non-intercourse act with
Great Britain was passed in its stead. Although " the English
government disavowed the flagrant attack of the Leopard and
promised rei)aration, nothing satisfactory was done. But Eng-
land continued her provoking assaults upon the American

*Quakenbos Old Ed., p. 335.

THE WAR OF 1812 AND MEXICAN WAR 229

people until their resentment was wrought up to such intensity
as to justify hostilities and form a basis for maintaining them.
Consequently, war was declared against Great Britain in June,
1812."

A statement from the New Hampshire Patriot of Feb. 25,
181 2, as illustrating the cause of this war, follows : —
"6,257,

By the reports from the Department of State, is the number of
Impressed American seamen, now held in worse than Barbarian
slavery by Great Britain : this is not probably half the actual
number, as comparatively few that have been impressed have
ever had an opportunity to make known their deplorable condi-
tion to the American Government. ' '

" The impressment of our seamen stands first on the catalogue
of British injuries ; for what is our property, what our honor
worth, if our citizens are permitted to be seized by a British
press gang, their protections torn and thrown in their faces, and
they doomed to a perpetual exile from their country and friends
— to wear out their lives in slavery ? ' '

Congress prepared for w^ar, to carry on which, "a loan of
$11,000,000 was authorized." Twenty-five thousand regulars
and fifty thousand volunteers were to be enlisted, " and the re-
spective States were directed to arm and equip their proportion
of 100,000 militia for the defense of the coast and frontier."*

It was in response to this call of their country that the town of
I^yndeborough, in a legal meeting held June 16, 1812, voted

" To raise or make up the wages of those of the militia who
may enlist themselves as this town's proportion of the one hun-
dred thousand, to twelve dollars per month while they are in
actual service ; and to make up their pay to one dollar per day,
in case they shall be called upon by authority for inspection and
military duty at home, for each and every day that they may be
called upon more than the remainder of the militia."!

A COPY OF soldiers' ENLISTMENT.

We the subscribers, soldiers in the Town of Ivyndeborough,
under the command of Nathan Wheeler, hereby voluntaril}^ in
consideration of our duty to our country and the generous offers
made this day by the said Town of Lyndeborough, enlist our-
selves to serve agreeably to a law of the United States to raise
One Hundred Thousand of the militia, and hereby promise to

*Quackenbos O. Ed., pp. 343, 344- tT. Rs., Ill, v.'j&l.

230 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

equip ourselves according to law, and to hold ourselves in readi-
ness to luarcli at a moment's warning.

Dated at lyyndeboro, this i6th. day of June 1812.

Timothy Putnam, as Lieut. John Medes (Mead)

Israel Putnam, Drummer Ebenezer Russell

John Sargent Asa Chamberlain

Robert Parker James Fuller

David Putnam, Jr. Carleton Parker

William Russell Samuel Howard

Samuel Dutton Nathaniel Chamberlain

Joseph Chamberlain Daniel Chamberlain

Henry Spaulding f True Copy, Attest.

Ephraim Putnam, 3rd. I Nathan Wheeler, Town Clerk.*

Thus was the town's quota of the one hundred thousand men
required by the national government completed. At a subse-
quent meeting, held Aug. 31, 1812, a vote passed, " to purchase
for the Town's use 100 lbs. of powder, 2 cwt. of lead and 400
flints." The selectmen were authorized to procure these, and
also ' ' to call for the powder and ball in the hands of sundry per-
sons " as by report of selectmen for 1796. Voted also, " to pur-
chase six stand of arms for the use of the Town."

Jan, 16, 1815 the town voted to make up the wages of each
soldier, with what he received from the State and United States,
to thirteen dollars a month ; and further voted to give two dol-
lars a month to each additional.

The men were sent to Portsmouth for the defense of the fort
and the coast. They were under the command of Timothy Put-
nam, who was soon made captain of the company raised from
this military district, and was subsequently promoted to be
colonel.

Others enlisted at a later day, some for ninety and some for
sixty days. Their names follow, in lists procured and forwarded
by W. H. Grant, Esq., of St. Paul, Minn.

Lyndeborough men who went to Portsmouth in 18 14 for three
months, with date of muster, t

CAPTAIN TIMOTHY PUTNAM'S COMPANY, FIRST REGIMENT.

Timothy Putnam Captain Sept. 10, 1814

David Putnam Sergeant " "

William Boutwell Private " '*

John Cram " " "

Benjamin Putnam " << »
John Russell "
William Russell

•T. Rs., III. p. 187. t Lists by Hon. W. H. Grant ; source not given.

THE WAR OF 1S/2 AND MEXICAN WAR 231

Tyler Town Private Sept. 10, 1814

Ephraim Woodward " " "

Jacob Butler " " "

IvConard Putnam Waiter " "

CAPT. WII.I,IAM GREGG'S COMPAMY, SECOND REGIMENT.

For Sixty Days.

William Gregg (not of Lyndeboro) Captain Sept. 27, 1814

John Beasom Musician " "

Joseph Chamberlain Private " "

Asa Chamberlain " n <<

Francis Dunckley " " "

Moses Pearson " << «.

Ebenezer Russell " " "

William Richardson " •' "

John Sargent " " " '«

THE MEXICAN WAR.

So far as present knowledge extends, but one native of our
town took part in the Mexican War. He is mentioned in a
letter written by his sister, Mrs. Hannah Vose (Cram) Draper
of Boston, to Mr. David C. Grant. The soldier's name was
Hiram Cram, a sou of Benjamin and Polly (Vose) Cram, born
in lyyndeborough, Nov. 3, 1818. He was a brother of the late
Daniel Cram, one of the contractors on the building of the
railroad through our town. Unable to give his full record as a
soldier, I think Mrs. Draper's narrative credible and worthy of
a place in our military traditions, and hence copy it.

** An incident in Hiram Cram's Mexican life was related to
us by one of his comrades in arms. Hiram was a very quiet
man, always minding his own business, and was a great suf-
ferer from phthisic. The bully of the regiment, not knowing
the Cram spirit that would not bear imposition, and not reckon-
ing on the nervous strength the invalid possessed when excited,
thought him a good subject for his brutal sport, and got soundly
whipped in consequence of attacking him. The subdued bully
ceased to annoy the peaceable men of the regiment, and
Hiram became a general favorite in return for the service
rendered them."

CHAPTER X.

lyYNDKBOROUGH IN THE CiVIL WaR.

The foregoing military record makes it plain that New
Hampshire has been an active partner in national emer-
gencies. Her sons have been conspicuous in all the great con-
flicts through which the country has passed. She had her
representatives at lycxington and Concord, and rendered mem-
orable service under Stark and Reed at Bunker Hill. In the
latter fight, seventeen hundred of her sons and more took part.
Through all the war for independence, none were braver than
they. For the honor of the nation, they have always been
bold, alert and active. The Civil War affords special proof of
this.

In the latter, as well as in all the rest, Lyndeborough partici-
pated. At a legal meeting of the town, Oct. 26, 1861, the
town voted, " To raise money to aid the families of volunteers ; "
and instructed the selectmen " to borrow a sum of money not to
exceed $1,000, to be so expended, agreeable to a law passed in
June, 1861, and approved July 4, 1861. "*

On Aug. 12, 1862, the town voted, "to authorize the Select-
men to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $4,000, and to
appropriate the same to encourage voluntary enlistments in the
United States Service, either military or naval ; and that they
be directed to pay to every volunteer resident of this Town who
enlists previous to the first day of Sept., 1862, for the term
of three years or during the war, the sum of One Hundred
Dollars, when mustered into the U. S. Service ; and to every
one who may enlist for the term of nine months ageeably to the
call of the President, (of Aug. 4) they are directed to pay the
sum of $100, whenever such person shall have been accepted
and mustered into the U. S. Service."!

Again, on the second Tuesday in March, 1863, the town
voted to appropriate $1,500 for the aid of the families and de-
pendents of volunteers, agreeably to an act of the I,egislature,
and that the Selectmen appropriate the same."!

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1863, the town voted to appropriate a
sum of money ' ' not exceeding One Thousand Dollars for the

*Town Records, Vol. VI, pp. 89 and 90. Names of tnany enlisted men are found in
the same volume, p. 104.

tT. Records, Vol. VI.,' p. 149. J T. Records, Vol. VI, p. 175.

SOLIMKRS AlONCMKNT.

IN THE CIVIL WAR 233

purpose of aiding dependents and families of drafted men or
their substitutes who may be mustered into the U. S. Service,
and that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow and pay out
the same."*

On the 31st of March, 1864, the town voted " to raise a sum
of money not exceeding $6,000, to be appropriated in procuring
volunteers to fill the quota of the town, under the present call
of the President of the U. S. for two hundred thousand men,
and also to fill any subsequent call that may be made during
the year ; and that the Selectmen are also hereby authorized to
borrow the same." t

At a legal meeting held Aug. 12, 1864, it was voted "that
the Selectmen be instructed to fill the quota of the town of
Lyndeborough, under the call of the President, issued on the
i8th of July, 1864, for five hundred thousand men. ist. By
procuring a substitute for three years, for any enrolled man,
whenever said enrolled man shall pay the town the sum of two
hundred dollars ; or 2nd, by procuring volunteers for said
town, if they can so act legally." It was further voted, "that
the sum of twenty thousand dollars be and hereby is appro-
priated for the purpose of filling all present and future quotas
for the year ; and that the Selectmen be hereby authorized to
borrow a sufficient sum of money to carry the above votes into
effect."! At an adjourned session of this meeting held Aug. 27,
1864, the town instructed the Selectmen "to fill the quota of
this town by paying volunteer citizens of the town for one year,
a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars to each person." ||

Again, at the adjournment of the annual town meeting
March 15, 1865, the selectmen were authorized " to pay to each
enrolled or drafted man who had put in a substitute, a sum
equal to the sum actually paid by said principal to his substi-
tute ; provided said sum of money thus paid does not exceed
three hundred dollars ; and provided further, that the Select-
men shall carry this vote into effect, if upon taking counsel
they shall find that said payment bj' the town be legal ; other-
wise, this vote shall be of no effect." §

' ' Voted that the sum of Six thousand dollars be appropriated
for the purpose of paying principals who have put in substitutes
agreeable to the above vote, and that the Selectmen be author-
ized to borrow the same."

*T. Records, Vol. VI, p. 200. tT. Records, Vol. VI, p. 232.

XT. Records, Vol. VI, p. 245. || T. Records, Vol. VI, p. 247,

§T. Records, Vol. VI, p. 268.

234 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

"Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to pay all citizens
of this town who have served or may serve in the United States
Army and counted on the quota of this town, the sum of eight
dollars per month for the time of actual service, or in the case
of the death of the soldier, to his wife and orphan children,
father or mother, provided that all persons who have received a
town bounty of that amount shall not be included ; provided
also, that the same may be paid legally."*

The foregoing votes seem to include the direct action taken
by the town in relation to the war. The town has no cause to
be ashamed of its war record. The list of those who were
mustered into the service of the United States, as credited to
Lyndeborough, follows :

IvYNDEBOROUGH CIVII. WAR ROI.L.

First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Mason W. Tappen, Colonel.

The service of this regiment was with the Army of the Potomac in
Maryland.

Asher Curtis, private; enlisted Apr. 22, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9, 1861.
Hiram F. Curtis, private ; enlisted Apr. 26, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9,

1861.
William R. Dunklee, private; enlisted Apr. 22, 1861 ; discharged Aug.

9, 1861.
Martin Hale, private; enlisted Apr. 22, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9, 1861.
William Ivangdell, private; enlisted Apr. 22, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9,

1861 ; re-enlisted in regular army.
Harvey M. Newton, private ; enlisted Apr. 21, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9,
186 1.
William H. Ordway, private ; enlisted Apr. 20, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9,

1861 ; re-enlisted several times.
Hiram M. Tarbell, private ; enlisted Apr. 22, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 9,

1861 ; re-enlisted in Eighth Regiment.

Second Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Oilman Marston, Colonel.
The service of this regiment was with the Army of the Potomac in Vir-
ginia.

Harvey Holt, private ; enlisted May 9, 1861 ; was detailed as a sapper and
miner at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; was killed at
that battle by a bursting shell, being the first man from New Hamp-
shire killed in the war.
John A. Hartshorn, corporal; enlisted May 20, 1861 ; killed May 5, 1862,

at Williamsburg, Va.
James M. Wellman, private ; enlisted May 25, 1861 ; discharged Jan. 30,
1863.

*T. Records, Vol. VI, p. 269.

IN THE CIVIL WAR 23S

Arthur P. Smith, private ; enlisted May 21, 1861 ; rlischargecl Aug. 9,

1861.
William Davis (substitute for John Bradford), private; enlisted Oct. 3,

1864 ; discharged Dec. 19, 1865.

Fourth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas Whipple, Colonel.
The service of this regiment was in Gen. Q. A. Gilmore's command.
Edward K. Marsh, private ; enlisted Aug. 14, 1861 ; discharged for disa-
bility Jan. 31, 1862.
George Randell (substitute), private; enlisted Oct. 15, 1863; wounded

Jan. 15, 1865 at Fort Fisher, N. C; discharged June 22, 1865.
John Sheppard (substitute), private; enlisted Sept. 1,1863; deserted
Nov. 14, 1864.

Fifth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Edward E. Cross, Colonel.
The service of this regiment was with the Army of the Potomac in
Virginia.

Frederick S. Manning, private; enlisted Sept. 25, 1861 ; wounded Dec.
13, 1862 at Fredericksburg, Va.; killed at the battle of Gettysburg,
Pa., July 2, 1863.
John H. Stephenson, private ; enlisted Aug. 24, 1861 ; wounded at Fred

ericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862; discharged Oct. 11, 1864.
Jesse Munroe (substitute), sergeant; enlisted Sept. i, 1863 ; wounded at

Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864; discharged June 28, 1865.
Daniel Finning (substitute for Otis Perham), private ; enlisted Sept. 9,

1864 ; deserted Oct. 12, 1864.
Henry Campbell (substitute), private ; enlisted Oct. 15, 1863 ; discharged
June 9, 1865.

Seventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Haldimand S. Putnam, Colonel.
John Gallden (substitute for Fred A. Richardson), private; enlisted
Sept. 26, 1864; discharged July 20, 1865.

Eighth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Hawkes Fearing, Colonel.
The service of this regiment was in the department of the Gulf.
Joseph Blanchard, corporal ; enlisted Oct. 19, 1861 ; discharged Jan. 18,

1865.
Charles Campbell, private ; enlisted Oct. i, 1864 ; no date of discharge.

David J. Carkin, private; enlisted Oct. 25, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 19.

1864.
Azro D. Cram, sergeant ; enlisted Oct. 19, 1861 ; wounded at Port Hudson

June 14, 1863; taken prisoner at Brashier City, La., in Oct., 1863;

exchanged at Brashier City ; discharged for wounds Nov. 28, 1863.
John B. Dolliver, private; enlisted Oct. 12, 186 1 ; wounded severely at

Moreauville, La., May 14, 1864; discharged Jan. 18, 1865.
Jotham P. Draper, private ; enlisted Oct. 21, 1861 ; died in hospital at

Baton Rouge, La., June 14, 1863.

236 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUCH

George, R. Follansbee, private; enlisted Oct. 12, 1861; died of disease

Apr. 30, 1862.
George E. Green, private ; enlisted Oct. 10, 1861 ; re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864 ;

deserted Mar. 18, 1864.
Benjamin Harris, private; enlisted Dec. 9, 1863; no record of discharge-
L,. Nathan Hodgman, private ; enlisted Oct. 21, 1861 ; wounded at Port

Hudson, La., May 27, 1863; died on the way home, Jan. 9, 1865.
Andrew J. Marshall, private; enlisted Oct. 23, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 19.

1864.
Hugh Maguire (recruit); enlisted Oct, i, 1864; discharged Oct. 28, 1865,
John Morgan (recruit) ; enlisted Oct. i, 1864 ; no date of discharge.
Edward O'Connor (recruit) ; enlisted Oct. 3, 1864; no date of discharge.
William H. Ordway, private ; enlisted Oct. 26, 1861 : discharged Apr. 10,

1862, for disability.
George Pratt, private; enlisted Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged Jan. 18, 1865.
Edward P. Ross, corporal ; enlisted Oct. 12, 1861 ; killed at Port Hudson,

L,a., June 14, 1863.
Lewis W. Smith, private ; enlisted Oct. 26, 1861 ; discharged for disa-
bility June 5, 1863.
Hiram M. Tarbell, sergeant; enlisted Oct. 13, 1861 ; discharged Jan. 2,

1865.
George E. Winn, corporal ; enlisted Nov. 19, 1861 ; appointed sergeant

Dec. 14, 1863 ; re-enlisted ; appointed first sergeant Mar. 14, 1864 ;

discharged Jan. 2, 1865.
Seth Preston, private; enlisted Oct. 2, 1861 ; promoted to corporal Aug.

I, 1863, and to sergeant Dec. 16, 1863; re-enlisted; wounded at Port

Hudson, La., June 14, 1863 ; discharged Oct. 28, 1865.
Albert S. Conant, private; enlisted Oct. 12, 1861 ; promoted to corporal

Dec. 16, 1863, and to sergeant Jan. i, 1864; taken prisoner June 20,

1863 ; exchanged Oct. 20, 1S63 ; wounded May 14, 1864, at Moreau-

ville, La.; discharged Jan. 18, 1S65.

Ninth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Enoch O. Fellows, Colonel.

The service of this regiment was in the Department of the Ohio.
William P. Joslin, private ; enlisted July 21, 1862 ; deserted Sept. 7, 1862.
Edward K. Marsh, corporal ; enlisted July 10, 1862 ; deserted Sept. 9,
1862.

Tenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Michael T. Donahue, Colonel.

The service of this regiment was with the Army of the Potomac.
Joseph Reon (substitute for Jason Holt), private ; enlisted Aug. 19, 1863 ;
wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864 ; discharged Nov. 19, 1864.

Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Walter Harriman, Colonel.
Service with the Army of the Potomac.
Howard B. Ames, private; enlisted Aug. 13, 1862; discharged June 4,
i865.

IN THE CIVIL WAR 237

lyouis Bruno (substitute), private ; enlisted Sept. 2, 1863 ; discharged for
disability May i, 1865; wounded severely May ra, 1864, at Spottsyl-
vania, Va.

Thirteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Aaron F. Stevens, Colonel.

Service with the Army of the Potomac.

Benjamin J. Boutwell, corporal; enlisted Aug. 16, 1862; discharged May
20, 1863.

Nathan B. Boutwell, private; enlisted Aug. 29, 1862: appointed second
lieutenant Sept. 27, 1862; appointed adjutant Mar. 24, 1863; wounded
severely June 15, 1864, at Battery 5, Petersburg, Va.; discharged for
disability May 5, 1S65.

William T. Boutwell, private ; enlisted Aug. 16, 1862; discharged June
28, 1865.

David E. Proctor, private ; enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 ; appointed corporal
Mar. 12, 1863; appointed sergeant Jan. i, 1864; was commissioned
captain in the 30th Regiment, U. S. Colored Troops, Colonel Delevan
Bates ; he was discharged Mar. i, 1864, to accept this promotion.
(See U. S. Colored Troops.)

George T. Woodward, private ; enlisted Aug. 13, 1862 ; promoted to cor-
poral Mar. 12, 1863, and to sergeant June 10, 1863 ; was discharged
Mar. I, 1864, to accept promotion in the 30th Regiment, U. S. Col-
ored Troops ; was commissioned captain in that regiment Mar. 3,
1864. (See U. S. Colored Troops.)

Henry E. Spalding, private; enlisted Aug. 15, 1862; discharged for dis-
ability May 20, 1863. (See Genealogy.)

William Morris (substitute), private ; enlisted Sept. i, 1863 ; killed at
Cold Harbor, Va., June i, 1864.

Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
James Pike, Colonel.

Service in the Department of the Gulf.
Charles R. Bacon, private ; enlisted Sept. 13, 1S62 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
Richard J. Batten, private ; enlisted Sept. 15, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
William M. Blauchard, private ; enlisted Sept. 13, 1862; discharged Aug.

20, 1863.
George W. Bosworth, private; enlisted Oct. 10, 1862; commissioned cap-
tain Nov. 4, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20, 1863. (See 18th Regiment,

N. H. V. I.
Abram Boutwell, private; enlisted Sept. 6, 1862; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
James Boutwell, private; enlisted Sept. 6, 1862; died Aug. 15, 1863,

while still in the service.
John R. Butler, private ; enlisted Sept. 6, 1862 ; died in hospital at New

Orleans, La., June 28, 1863.
John C. Carkin, private ; enlisted Sept. 4, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 2o»

1863 ; re-enlisted in ist N. H. Cavalry.

238 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Walter Chamberlain, private; enlisted Nov. ii, 1862; died at New Or-
leans, La., May 7, 1863.
Benjamin J. Clark, private; enlisted Sept. 6, 1862; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
Michael Ford, private ; enlisted Sept. 20, 1862 ; discharged for disability

June 17, 1S63.
John A. Franklin, private; enlisted Sept. 16, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
Nathan S. Harris, private; enlisted Sept. 13, 1862 ; detailed as wagoner;

drowned on the way home in the Mississippi River Aug. 6, 1863.
Andy Holt, corporal ; enlisted Sept. 15, 1862 ; promoted to sergeant Mar.,

1863 ; discharged Aug. 20, 1863.
George T. Jones, corporal ; enlisted Sept. 6, 1862 ; promoted to sergeant ;

discharged Aug. 20, 1863.
John H. Karr, private ; enlisted Sept. 16, 1862 ; died at Vicksburg, Miss.,

Aug. 10, 1863.
Joseph Mason, private; enlisted Sept. 5, 1862; discharged Aug. 20, 1863.
John C. Ordway, corporal ; enlisted Sept. 25, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
William H. Ordway, private ; enlisted Oct. 31, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
Eben J. Palmer, corporal ; enlisted Sept. 11, 1862 ; died June 30, 1863, at

Baton Rouge, La.
George B. Raymond, private ; enlisted Oct. 8, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.
William P. Steele, private ; enlisted Oct, 4, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 20,

1863.

Eighteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas Livermore, Colonel.

Service in the Army of the Potomac.

George W. Bosworth, private; enlisted Sept. 20, 1864; commissioned
captain Oct. 13, 1864 ; discharged June 10, 1865.

First New Hampshire Cavalry.
John L. Thompson, Colonel.

Service in the Army of the Potomac.

James Anderson (substitute), private; enlisted Apr. 5, 1864; deserted.

James G.Arnold (substitute), private ; enlisted Apr. 6, 1864; wounded
severely at Kearneysville, Va., Aug. 25, 1864; discharged May 30,
1865.

Austin Blood (substitute), private; enlisted Apr. 8, 1864; appointed cor-
poral; wounded Nov. 12, 1864, at Middleton, Va.; died of wounds
Nov. 15, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

John C. Carkin, private; enlisted Mar. 10, 1865; discharged July 15,
1865.

Charles Moore, private; enlisted Jan. i, 1864; no date of discharge.

Rufus Orcutt, private ; enlisted Feb. 18, 1864 ; discharged July 15, 1865.

Joseph Wetherbee, private; enlisted Feb. 16, 1864; appointed corporal
May I, 1865 ; discharged July 15, 1865.

TN THE CIVIL WAR 239

First Company Heavy Artillery.

Merrill T. Spalding, private ; enlisted July 22, 1863 ; discharged Sept.
II, 1865.

Veteran Reserve Corps.

Cyrus Brackett (substitute), private; enlisted April 15, 1864; deserted.
United States Colored Troops.

David E. Proctor, captain ; commissioned Feb. 10, 1864 ; severely
wounded Nov. 28, 1864, at Point of Rocks, Va. ; brevetted major

March 13, 1865 ; discharged Dec. 10, 1865. At the celebrated Crater fight
before Petersburg, Va. He is said to have been the first white soldier
to enter the mine after the explosion.

George T. Woodward, captain; enlisted March 3, 1864; wounded at
the explosion of the mine at Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864 ; brevet-
ted major March 13, 1865 ; discharged Dec. 21, 1865.

Adolphus Boyku (substitute), private ; enlisted Aug. 19, 1864 ; discharged
Oct. 20, 1865.

John W. Boone (substitute), private ; enlisted Sept. 22, 1864; discharged
Oct. 31, 1865.

Miscellaneous Organizations.

Gorham B. Clark, private; enlisted Sept. i, 1862, in the 5th Mass. Regt;
discharged July 2, 1863 ; enlisted March 26, 1864, in the U. S. Signal
Corps ; died July 24, 1865.

Everett E. Cram, private ; enlisted March 29, 1864, in U. S. Signal Corps;
discharged Aug. 25, 1865.

William Langdell, private ; enlisted Aug. 30, 1861, in Co. H, 14th U. S.
Infantry; captured May 5, 1864, at the Wilderness, Va. ; died at the
Andersonville Prison, Sept. 25, 1864.

Jonathan H. Stephenson enlisted Sept. 9, 1861, in Co. H, 14th U. S. In-
fantry ; discharged Aug. 30, 1864 ; died Dec. 27, 1864.

John P. Raymond enlisted in U. S. Signal Corps, March 29, 1864 ; dis-
charged Dec. 16, 1865.

Otis Harwood in Mass. Regiment.

William H. Ordway enlisted April 5, 1864, in 2nd Mass. Cavalry ; dis-
charged May 8, 1865.

United States Navy.

Joseph Leacher, landsman ; enlisted June 25, 1864 ; discharged Oct. 25,
1864.

George Powers (substitute); enlisted Sept. 23, 1864; deserted Sept. 28,
1864.

John Price (substitute) ; enlisted Sept. 28, 1864; deserted Oct. 17, 1864.

Henry Smith (substitute); enlisted Sept. 28, 1864; discharged Feb. i,
1865.

William Teague, seaman ; enlisted Sept. 3, 1861 ; discharged Nov. 21,
1862.

John Thompson, seaman ; enlisted Sept. 28, 1864 ; died in Hospital at
New York, Feb. 6, 1865.

Marine Corps.
John Fox (substitute) ; enlisted Sept. 27, 1864; deserted Oct. 2, 1864.

240

HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Robert Griffin (substitute); enlisted Feb. i, T865; discharged Feb. i,

1869.
John Hartman, corporal; enlisted Dec. 31, 1864; deserted Jan. 20, 1865.
Herman Wolf, drummer; enlisted Jan. 28, 1864; discharged Jan. 28, 1869.

Lafayette Artillery Company
Enlisted Aug, i, 1864; discharged Sept. 23, 1864; service at Fort Consti-
tution, Portsmouth, N. H.

(See History of the company in another chapter.)

OFFICERS.

Joel H. Tarbell, Captain
Eli C. Curtis, ist Lieut.
Charles H. Holt, 2nd Lieut.
John Gage, ist Sergeant
Abner K. Lewis, Sergeant
Benjamin G. Herrick, Sergeant
Edwin Patch, Sergeant
William N. Ryerson, Sergeant

Andy Holt, Corporal
Charles F. Tarbell, Corporal
Edwin H. Putnam, Corporal
Stephen P. Holt, Corporal
William J. Herrick, Corporal
Samuel S. Cummings, Corporal
Moses C. Fuller, Corporal
John C. Carkin, Corporal

Calvin A. Abbott
Oliver H. Bixby
Ward N. Cheever
Benjamin J. Clark
Charles W. Conant
Orrin N. Cram
Asher Curtis
Hiram F. Curtis
Alvin Dean
David S. Draper
Elverton G. W. Duncklee
Alfred T. Ford
John H. Goodrich
Levi P. Hadley
Samuel N. Hartshorn
Benjamin F. Holt
Jason Holt
Charles L. Hubbard
Alvin J. Ford

William F. Barrett, Drummer.

PRIVATES.

Isaac Lowe

George W. Parker
George B. Raymond
Orrin P. Russell
Jotham S. Stephenson
Amos P. Swinnington
William W. Woods
Charles Young
Lafayette Herrick
George W. Holt
Albert J. Kidder
Edmund J. Parker
Eleazer Putnam
Fred A. Richardson
William P. Steele
William R. Stephenson
Samuel E. Swinnington
Alfred C. Woodward
George W. Young

THE soldiers' MONUMENT.

The first soldier named on this monument deserves more
than a passing notice ; for the reason that he was not only the
first man from our town to fall as a victim of our Civil War,
but he was also the first soldier from our state to die for the
preservation of the union. Harvey Holt was killed in the first
battle of Bull Run by a fragment of a shell which exploded
near him while he was in the heat of the conflict. When the
Grand Army of the Republic organized a Post here, it took the

IN THE CIVIL WAR 241

name of Harvey Holt Post, No. 15, of the G. A. R., in his
honor.

This Post in 187 1 voted to place all its surplus funds at inter-
est with the view of procuring a soldiers' monument. By the
aid of an appropriation of $250 from the town and the money
raised by the members the monument was erected in 1879,
and stands near the highway at the South Cemetery, an honor
both to the living and the dead. Upon it are inscribed the
names of all Lyndeborough soldiers who fell in the conflict and
whose dust reposes under the sunny skies of a now united
country.

EAST FACE.

1. Harvey Hclt, Co. I, 2nd Regt., N. H. V. Killed at first battle of Bull

Run, July 21, 1861.

2. George R. Follansbee, Co. B, 8th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at

Ship Island, Miss., May i, 1862.

3. Corp. John A. Hartshorn, Co. G, 2nd Regt., N. H. V. Killed at

Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862.

4. Walter Chamberlain, Co. G, i6th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at

New Orleans, I^a., May 7, 1863.

NORTH FACE.

5. Frederick S. Manning, Co. I, 5th Regt., N. H. V. Killed at Gettys-

burgh, Pa., July 2, 1863.

6. Nathan S. Harris, Co. G, i6th Regt., N. H. V. Drowned near mouth

of White River, Ark., Aug. 6, 1863.

7. John H. Karr, Co. G, i6th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at Vicks-

burg, Miss., Aug. 10, 1863.

8. Corp. Austin Blood, Troop C, ist N. H. V. Cavalry. Died of wounds

at Winchester, Va., Dec. 10, 1864.

9. Elnathan Hodgman, Co. E, 8th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at

Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 9, 1865.

WEST FACE.

10. Edward P. Ross, Co. B, 8th Regt., N. H. V. Killed at Port Hudson,

La., June 14, 1863.

11. Jotham P. Draper, Co. E, 8th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at

Baton Rouge, La., May 16, 1863.

12. John R. Butler, Co. G, i6th Regt., N. H. V. Died of disease at New

Orleans, La., June 28, 1863.

13. Corp. Eben J. Palmer, Co. G, i6th Regt., N. H. V. Died at Baton

Rouge, La. , June 30, 1863.

14. Sergt. William Langdell, Co. A, 14th U. S. Infantry, Died in An-

dersonville prison, Ga., Sept. 25, 1864.

242 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

REVIEW.

In a review of the financial condition of the town, the year
after the close of the Civil War, the selectmen made the follow-
ing statements :

" The whole number of men furnished by the town, not in-
cluding the ninety days' men at Portsmouth, is one hundred
and ten. The amount of Town bounties paid, including the
$1,375 paid in 1863 for men who were not credited, is $17,140.00.
The amount paid by individuals for substitutes is $5,090.00."

' ' We believe the war expenses of the town below the aver-
age of the towns in the State, in proportion to the number of
men furnished." "Will it not, then, be good policy for us to
pay a part of the Town debt the present year ? We hope every
tax payer will feel a deep interest in the prosperity of the Town,
and act accordingly."

The votes of the town certainly indicate a readiness to be
liberal with the soldiers and to borrow funds to assist any
dependents who might be in circumstances of need. The
agents of the town, after the war was over, turned the attention
of their fellow citizens to an immediate effort to reduce their debt.
These points cannot fail to be viewed as commendable. Honor
to whom honor is due !

CHAPTER XI.

I/Yndeborough's Contributions to Other Towns,
greenfipxd.

From military afiairs we turn back to give a brief account of
the later changes in boundary lines.

It was previously shown that a large tract of the old township,
Salem-Canada, was cut off in order to form township No. 2, now
Wilton. ' 'This was the most unkindest cut of all, ' ' in the opinion
of the old inhabitants of our town, for it began, in 1749, a series
excisions which are unpleasant to recall. To atone, as it were,
for the land cut off on the south side, there was added an equal
quantity on the north side ; but although the acreage may have
been made equal, "the new agreed not with the old," and in
time trouble ensued. By means of this addition, our old town
extended as far north as what is now Greenfield village, and the
added tract was called " The Lyndeborough Addition."*

Two years later, in 1751, if its chartered measurements are to
be trusted. New Boston received 2,700 acres out of this addi-
tion. This, with other territory further north, constituted the
" New Boston Addition," which formed the main part of Fran-
cestown at the date of its incorporation, June 8, 1772.

But even after the incorporation of this large tract into New
Boston first, and afterwards into Francestown, there still re-
mained a large strip of the original " Lyndeborough Addition,"
at the northwest corner of the town. The addition was made
while our town was yet Salem-Canada. But in 1753 the name
was changed to Lyndeborough, covering both the remainder of
Salem-Canada and its addition.

The town continued thus till the war for independence was in
full progress. During this war an annoying petition came from
the inhabitants of " Parsonses Corner," so-called, requesting to
be set off to " Duxbury School Farm," in order to make up a
town. Lyndeborough was notified by the legislature of their
request, and directed to show reasons, if any they had, why this
should not be done.f The town voted to oppose the petition,
and chose Capt. Levi Spaulding to present objections to the Gen-

*Batch., XXV, pp. 358, 360. Francestown History, pp. lo, ii. Cf. also, Batch., XXVIH,
pp. 58, 71, with XXIV, p. 175, and XXVII, pp. 408, 410.

tSee Hammond, XII, pp. 519 to 521.

244 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

eral Court. The objections prevailed, and in Hammond's words,
" The project did not succeed."

But the Revohitionary War had scarcely closed before the town
was requested by citizens in the northwest part of Lyndeborough
in Sept., 1783, that thej^ might be set off in order to form a new
town. The town voted to dismiss the subject. But at the No-
vember meeting in 1783 the request was urgently repeated, and
then a vote passed that the northwest part of the town be set off
according to the plan exhibited. It was carried by the petition-
ers only. They next petitioned the legislature to be set off as a
town, and the legislature notified Lyndeborough to present rea-
sons, if any there were, why it should not be done. The town
decided to assign reasons against the request, and for this pur-
pose chose Capt. Levi Spaulding, Ephraim Putnam and Major
Peter Clark as their committee. The reasons were assigned
and strongly expressed. The}^ were, briefly : — *

1. To set off the N. W. corner of the town as proposed, would leave
the town in such shape that it could not be supposed long to exist as a
town.

2. Separation as requested would make the maintenance of the gospel
very burthensome to the remaining people of the town.

3. The town had borne its part with patriotic zeal and fortitude in a
long and distressing war, from which it was still suffering. Its people
regarded the General Court as the guardian of their civic interests, and
now desired from it protection, in every proper way, from unnecessary
and hurtful division and expense, at least, until they have more fully dis-
charged their proportion of the public Debt.

These reasons were subscribed to by the selectmen and fifty-
one others, under date of Dec. 12, 1783.

But the petitioners were persistent, and the next year, agree-
able to an order of the Senate and House of Representatives, the
Town of Lyndeborough presented an earnest remonstrance
against granting their desire, and gave their reasons. They
stated that : — t

As to the Town of Ivyndeborough being very large, as is set forth by
the petitioners, it was at first laid out but six miles square, except a
little corner that New Boston took off on the North East. Afterwards a
large piece was taken off from the South part and added to Wilton by
Joseph Blanchard Esq., agent for the Masonian Proprietors, which was a
great dammage to this town. For the piece that was added on the north,
in lieu of it, we cannot expect to hold when they request to be set off to
Francestown, it being but about a mile from Francestown meetinghouse.
* * * The Southeast part of this Town by Reason of their distance
from the meetinghouse petitioned the General Court in 1779, to be taken

* Hammond, XII, pp. 511, 512. t lb., p. 513.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 245

off, and together with Duxbury School Farm and part of Amherst to be
incorporated (into) a distinct town by themselves. But the Honorable
Court viewing the plan of this town and considering its circumstances re-
solved that the request ought not to be granted.

As to the present petition before the Honorable Court, their request
appears to us so extravagant & unreasonable that it is a matter of won-
der to us that men so zealous for the public worship as the petitioners
express themselves, should so fail in the second branch of Duty, viz.
Love to their neighbor. For it appears to us that their petition cannot
be granted without the destruction and annihilation of the town as your
Honors may see by the plan of that part of the town that will be left.
The true state of the matter will we trust appear so plain by the plans
exhibited, * * * & what may be said on the day of hearing, that
we humbly refer the matter to your wise consideration & paternal care
of us trusting that it will be settled agreeable to Justice & Equity.

Permit us further to add that we could wish to accommodate the own-
ers & few inhabitants of said Slip of Land agreeable to their plan &
make that the centre of a fine town bounded out as they please, could it
be done without so great expence as the ruin of this town. Likewise we
think & take it to be the minds of the town & that they are heartily will-
ing to allow to their brethren the petitioners that belong to this town, a
full equality of privilege as to the place of meeting by moving the meet-
inghouse to the Center or some other way that* may be thought best.
But we cannot be reconciled to the thought of having the town torn to
pieces according to the request of the petitioners. Therefore it is the
prayer of this Town that the prayer of the petitioners may not be
granted, for which the Town of Lyndeborough as in duty bound will ever
pray. Signed by,

Levi Spaulding "| Committee in
Ephraim Putnam j- behalf of the Town
Peter Clark J of Lyndeborough.

Ill response to this petition and remonstrance, the General
Court appointed a committee to consider the situation, and con-
fer with committees appointed by both the town and the petition-
ers. The committee from the legislature advised compromise and
concession, for the present, at least. The other committees con-
ferred together, and arranged terms of agreement for five years,
which terms are given in the report of the committee for the
town as follows : — *

REPORT.

We the subscribers being a committee chosen by the Town to consult
with the petitioners in the Northwest part of the town with regard to
an accommodation agreeable to the advice of a committee from the Gen-
eral Court, upon considering the matter on all hands think proper that
the town make the petitioners the following offers, (viz.) that our Rev-
erend Pastor go to preach with the petitioners four Sabbaths out of five of
what money the said petitioners pay towards the yearly support of the

*T. Rs. II, p. 133.

246 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

gospel in this Town. (They) shall draw in proportion to the yearly sal-
ary for the term of three years from the 7th. day of September, 1785. The
Sabbaths the preaching is with the petitioners to (be) equally divided
through the year, and the meeting to be held in the centre of the peti-
tioners (or as near as may be with conveuiency) provided the petitioners
shall remain with the town as they are at present for the above said term.
Ivyndeborough, Feb. 2, 1785.

Ephraim Putnam \

Jonas Kidder \ Committee.

Ivcvi Spaulding J

This report was read and accepted at an adjourned meeting
of the town on the first Wednesday in February, 1785.

The matter was thus set temporarily at rest. The agreement
appears to have been faithfully kept.

But at the end of the specified five years, the "northwestern
part of the town again -showed great activity. The record of
the town meeting, Feb. i, 1790, is, in part, as follows : —

First, Chose Dr. Benjamin Jones Moderator.

Secondly. After reading the petitions presented to the town by the
Northwestern part of this town, also part of the inhabitants of the Society
Land, also the Inhabitants of Lyudeborough Slip, after considering of
the several Petitions, Voted to choose a committee to consist of seven
(viz) Levi Spaulding Esq., Dr. Benjamin Jones, Benjamin Killam, Peter
Clark, Lieut. Amos Whittemore, Joseph Herrick, John Reynolds, com-
mittee to consider the Petitions, & report to the town at an adjourned
meeting what ought to be done respecting them, the meeting adjourned
to the first Tuesday in March next at one of the clock in the afternoon.

When reassembled the first Tuesday in March, the committee finding
the impropriety of their choice made report nothing done.

Voted, to choose a committee of three to consider the situation & re-
port what they think right & just to do. Levi Spaulding, Nehemiah
Rand Esq., & Peter Clark were chosen the Committee ; & the meet-
ing adjourned to the first Tuesday in April.

Met according to adjournment. Heard the report of the committee ;
which follows :

To the inhabitants of the Town of Lyndeborough in Town-meeting as-
sembled on the sixth day of April 1790.

"We your committee chosen to take into consideration the several Peti-
tions now lying before the town by several inhabitants signed, request-
ing to be set from the town and annexed elsewhere.

Beg leave to report. That having taken said Petitions severally with
the several petitioners into our consideration as also the situation &
circumstances of the remaining part of the Town with its inhabitants,
are fully satisfied it will not by any means be for the benefit & welfare
of tlie Town to grant the Petition of the West or Northwest part of this
Town in full at this present conjuncture of time.

With respect to the Petition of such as would wish to be annexed to
& incorporated with the Society & Gore into a town, we say that
their being voted off in full, according to the limits in said Petition set

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 247

forth, would leave the remaining inhabitants under very unhappy cir-
cumstances indeed |& open a door for such unhappy differences too
plain to discernment of every one. However, as we are willing to gratify
the petitioners so far as may reasonably comport with the conveniency of
the old Town, according to situation of the meetinghouse & other cir-
cumstances, we think it may be advisable for the town to vote off the two
tier of which is called the Lord Proprietors Lots, on the West side of the
Town which will gratify Benjamin Killam & others in full & the
other petitioners of the Society & Gore & this Town in part.* As to
the Petition of a number of the inhabitants who request to be set off to &
annexed to Francestown, we advise that if in case the whole of the peti-
tioners on the West side of the town will accept of & be easy with the
two tier of Lots aforesaid, t that the prayer of their petition be granted,
& not otherwise at the present.

All of which is humbly submitted by your committee.

A true copy, attested pr. Ephraim Putnam, T. Clerk.

The above report was accepted by vote of the town at its
meeting, Apr. 6, 1790.!

But the petitioners renewed their appeal to the General Court,
and in response a committee of the Court was appointed at its
session in June, 1790, to consider the petition of the inhabitants
of the northwesterly part of Lyndeborough, etc., and to view
their situation and report thereon. The report favored their in-
corporation, according to a description printed in Hammond's
Town Papers, Vol. XII, pp. 528, 529.

The town opposed the separation as proposed by the report.
By way of remonstrance against it, they forwarded to the legis-
lature a record of the proceedings of their town meeting in re-
gard to it, as follows : —

To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives in & for the
State of New Hampshire.

The Memorial of the Town of Lyndeborough humbly Sheweth.

Agreeable to the Order of the Honorable Senate & House of Repre-
sentatives upon a petition preferred to them last June by a Number of
the Inhabitants of the Westerly part of this Town and Others, praying to
be Set off from this Town & Incorporated into a Town by themselves.

The Town at their Meeting on the 27 Day of December Instant took
the Matter into their Consideration agreeable to an Article in the war-
rant for said Meeting & Voted as follows (viz).

i*y. That it appears Evident to us that if More of this Town Should
be Set off to the Petitioners than we Voted to them at a Meeting of this
Town last April it will Intirel}' break up the Town & that it Cannot Sub-
sist as Such, after So large a part of it is taken off.

* See Plan in Batch. XXVn, p. 410. t That is, the two tier joined to Francestown.
JT. Rs., II, p. 201.

248 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

2*y. Therefore Voter! that the Prayer of this Town be presented to the
Honorable Court at their next Sessions at Concord on the first Wednes-
day of January next by our Member in Said Court, praying that the
prayer of the Petitioners may not be granted, farther than this Town
Voted them at the aforesaid Meeting

3'y. Voted that in Case the Honorable Courts Committee Should Re-
port different from the aforesaid Vote of this Town, or Report that more
of said Town be Set off to Said Petitioners than Said Town have Voted,
& if the Reasons that may be Offered Should not be Sufficient to Con-
vince the Honorable Court that this Town have Voted off to the Peti-
tioners as much of said Town as is Consistent with Reason & Justice,
then Voted to pray the Honorable Court to grant us a Committee upon
the Expence of the Town to take a View of that part of Said Town
Called the Old Town, that the Situation of the whole Town with all the
Circumstances that attend it may be taken into Consideration, as the late
Honorable Committee by the Order of the Honorable Court were Con-
fined to View the Sitiiations of the Petitioners only.

4'y. Chose Peter Clark I^evi Spaulding Esq., & Lieut. Jeremiah Carle-
ton a Committee to Assign Reasons to the Hon' Court why the prayer of
the Petitioners Should not be Granted.

A true Copy of the Vote of the Town of L,yndeborough at their Meet-
ing aforesaid

Attest pr Ephraim Putnam Town Clerk

Agreeable to the foregoing Vote the aforesaid Committee beg leave to
Inform the Honorable Court of the Difficulties & perplexityes (like the
present) that have attended the Town of Lyndeborough in years past, as,
also, the present Circumstances — and the Consequences that will follow,
Should the prayer of the present Petitioners be granted.

And in the first place as to the Town being Very large as Set forth in
the present petition, it was laid ovit Six Miles Square Except at the
North East Corner where New Boston Corner Came in about two miles
Said New Boston holding its Square Corner being the prior grant, after-
wards there was a large part of this Town taken off & added to Wilton
as may be Seen by the Plan of Lyndeborough which was a great Dam-
mage to this Town, for the Land Added on the west & North did by no
Means Compensate for what was taken off by Wilton, for the Addition
on the North lay So in with Francestown that they were Very Sure of
having it annexed to them Sooner or later, accordingly Francestown Set
their Meeting House within about one Mile of Said Addition, & in the
Year 1777 Petitioned the Town of Lyndeborough to have the Said Addi-
tion Set off to them, which the Town of Dyndeborough then Refused to
do — however the Land then not having many Inhabitants Settled upon
it, & Francestown being Very Sure that when it had, they would be for
Coming to them, let the Matter Rest until last Spring.

Likewise Duxbery School Farm with part of Amherst & the Inhabi-
tants on the South East part of this Town the year 1777 petitioned the
Town of Lyndeborough & also the General Court to be Incorporated
into a Town by them Selves, but the Honorable Court Viewing the
Cituation of Lyndeborough Resolved that the prayer of Said petition
Ought not to be granted.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 249

The Town then had Rest from an Invasion until the Year 1784 when
Lyndeborough Slip So Called & Some of the Inhabitants of the westerly
part of this Town Petitioned the Town, also the General Court, to be set
off by the Same lines the present petition Sets forth, & they had a Com-
mittee from the General Court, who after viewing the Situation of the
Town Reported Unanimously that the prayer of Said Petition be not
granted.

thus Matters Rested untill last Spring at which time the Inhabitants
that were Settled on the four Lots in the Southwest Corner of this Town
petitioned to be Set off to Temple likewise the present Petitioners to be
Set off by the Same lines as heretofore as may appear by their petition
now before the Honorable Court —likewise the Inhabitants on the before
Mentioned part of this Town lying next to Francestown, again Petitioned
together with the Town of Francestown to have Said laud with the In-
habitants thereon Annexed to Said Town.

The Town being thus Harass with petitions from So many quarters at
their Meeting Chose a Committee to Consider the Matter, and Report to
the Town which they did accordingly, which Report was accepted by the
Town, Said Report being had may more fully appear.

The next Movement was made by those petitioners who wish to be
annexed to Francestown together with the Selectmen of said Town who
again petitioned the Town of Lyndeborough at their meeting held on
30th Day of August last to be Set off to Francestown by Such bounds as
Set forth in their petition now before the Hono" Court — the prayer of
which Petition the Town at Said Meeting Voted to grant.

Thus by the before going Memorial the Honorable Court may See how
this Town has been Harassed — and to prevent any farther Difficultyes
in this way the Town has Voted off to the Several Petitioners all the
Land that was added on to this Town to make up for what Wilton took
from us amounting to above Six Thousand Acres & have Reduced the
Town to the bigness of about five Miles .k a half one way & about five
Miles & one quarter the other, Excepting the South East Corner which
brings the Meeting House near the Senter & Should we be permitted to
Reap So much benefit from the Charter heretofore granted to this town
as to only Suffer the loss of what Wilton took from us & Injoy only
what they left us without any part of the additions we might possibly
remain as a Small Town, but if the lines that the Town fhas prescribed
for themselves & wish to hold to, are broken Over, or if the prayer of
the petitioners is granted farther than the Town has Voted them, we
Expect nothing but Contention Divisions & finaly the braking up &
Distruction of the Town, to prevent which we humbly present the
prayer of this Town to the Honorable Court (whom we Esteem as the
Guardians of & Defenders of our Rites) that the prayer of the Peti-
tioners may not be granted.

Signed Peter Clark for y« Committee

Lyndeborough January 5 1791."

The foregoing Memorial narrates so much of the early history
of the town, that it seemed best to give it, without important

250 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

emendation or abridgement. The copy here given is from the
Town Papers, by Hammond.* The latter wrote :

[In H. of Rep., January 24, 1791, another committee was appointed
" to view the situation of said Inhabitants," and the following is their
Report: —Ed.]
[6-235.]

The Committee appointed by the General Court at their Sessions in
Jany 1791 to consider the petition of the Inhabitants of the Northwest
part of Lyndeborough, having viewed the situation of all the parties
concerned in said petition & fully heard them thereupon do agree to
report as there opinion that a Town be incorporated with the same
limits & boundaries as reported by the committee appointed in June
1790 a copy of which is inclosed & submitted by

Tim° Farrar |
James Underwood \ Com'"
Jeremiah Page J

The matter was disposed of by incorporating the several
tracts mentioned into the town of Greenfield, June 15, 1791.

But a mistake had been made in describing the boundary
line between the two towns in the new charter. Greenfield,
therefore, petitioned Lyndeborough to join with it in a petition
to the General Court to enable it to rectify the mistake. On
Dec. 19, 1 791, Lyndeborough voted its willingness that the line
between it and Greenfield ' ' should be established agreeable to
the Report of the Honorable Court's Committee."

Accordingly, by a legislative act passed Dec. 28, 1791, the
boundaries of Greenfield were changed and established.!

March 6, 1798, Lyndeborough, also, voted to grant the peti-
tion of Moses Lewis and John Stiles to be set off that they
might be annexed to Greenfield.!

Thus Greenfield people had gained their point and had rea-
son to be plea.sed. But very different was it with some of those
whom they had included within their corporate limits. The
people of the two eastern ranges of Greenfield lots were not
merely dissatisfied ; they were greatly disturbed and even dis-
tressed.

The next year, therefore, they, too, petitioned the General
Court, stating : —

That it is with unspeakable sorrow, they consider themselves as in-
cluded within the bounds of said Greenfield, to which they have been
uniformly & decidedly opposed, * * * and with which they never
can with any degree of contentment be connected. * * ■ The}' beg
leave to suggest to your honors, that the Estates of your petitioners, all
lay contiguous to each other, & are not mixed with those of any per-

* Vol. XII, p. 529-532. tT. R. II, p. 235. JT. R. II, p. 357.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 251

sons, who wish to go a different way. That they are all on the borders
of Francestown & within two or two & a half miles of Francestown
meetinghouse & the shortest distance from said lots to said meeting-
house but one mile & seventy-one rods, & a good road leading thereto.
* * * Your petitioners therefore pray that they may be rescued from
the bondage of belonging to Greenfield, or living within the limits of it
& be annexed to Francestown, where they can enjoy privileges, which
they will consider as a compensation for those they had a right to in
Lyndeboro'. * * * Wherefore as your petitioners always have been
averse to any connection with Greenfield, as their interest, convenience,
inclination, & local situation all so strongly lead to Francestown — as
Greenfield will not be hurt in its form, & Francestown will be mended
by our being set froth one Town to the other, as I^yndeborough have con-
sented to release us & Francestown to receive us And Greenfield have
no present right to us, * * * we therefore beg your honors to set off
the two east ranges of " Lyndeboro' Addition '' so called containing six
lots from Greenfield, annex them to Francestown & thereby deliver
your petitioners from their present distress & misery, & they as in dut}'
bound will ever pray, &c.

Signed by
Ithamar Woodward Reuben Kimball

Jacob Button Isaac Balch

John Batten Francis Epes

Richard Batten William Draper

Andrew Creesey Israel Balch.

[The foregoing request was granted, and the petitioners and their estates annexed to
Francestown Dec. ii, 1792. Kd-]

TEMPLB.

At a town meeting in lyyndeborough, Dec. 7, 1795, Mr. Ben-
jamin Killam and other.s ressiding in the southwest part of the
town petitioned to be set off and annexed to Temple. The re-
quest was negatived.*

But the matter came up again at the March meeting, 1796.
They had petitioned the General Court, and an order from the
Court required the town to consider it and show reasons, if they
had any, why the request should not be granted.

The town appointed Dr. Daniel Russell, Capt. William Dut-
ton and Esq. Levi Spaulding a committee to make report on the
matter at the next town meeting. Twenty-five votes, including
five of the petitioners, favored the petition and sixty-five op-
posed. May 30, 1796, the town voted against granting the
petition, and added Major Peter Clark and Capt. Aaron Lewis
to the committee and empowered them to assign reasons to the
General Court against the same.

The petition is said to have been supported by Gen. Francis

*T. Rs. 11, p.315.

252 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Blood of Temple, and through his influence to have been
granted. To this the rhymes of Dr. Israel Herrick, in the
County History refer.*

"Next, Temple presented a Bloody request,
And after contention, 'twas thought to be best,
To let them take off a three-cornered bite,
And keep it, rather than quarrel and fight."

By the act of the legislature, June lo, 1796, the estates of
Benjamin, Joseph and Samuel Killam, John Kidder, Jr., Theo-
dore Barker, Ebenezer Stiles and Joseph Richardson, "com-
prising more than nine hundred acres, were disannexed from
lyyndeborough and joined with Temple."!

The above named gentlemen, in a letter to the selectmen of
Temple, in 1794, wrote, "Nature seems to show that she de-
signed these lots to be separate from said Lyndeboro &c." +

Previous to 1800 two attempts were made by the inhabitants
of what was called " Parsonses Corner," to be annexed to Dux-
bury School Farm, &c, and so connected with Milford. These
attempts were made in 1779 and in 1797. The first one was de-
nied by the legislature, after hearing the reasons presented
against it by Capt. L,evi Spaulding. The full statement of the
reasons may be seen in Hammond's Town Papers, XII, pp.
519-521. The second appears to have gone no further than the
town meeting, the record on which stands, " Artical Dis-
missed."

MONT VERNON.

In the year 1780, an article in the warrant for the town meeting
bore date of Sept. 13, and asked the town to take into considera-
tion " the petition of several of the inhabitants of this town (viz)
Samuel Town & John Case, and of the northwesterly part of
Amherst, viz. Josiah Dodge & Stephen Peabody, to the Coun-
cil & House of Representatives, for half a mile of the East side
of this town to be annexed to the Northwest part of the town of
Amherst and formed into a town, which came to the selectmen
of this town by order of Court, that this town may have the op-
portunity to show cause why the praj'er thereof maj- not be
granted, & to choose a committee to act in that affair as the
town shall see fit."§

This matter was considered in the town meeting Sept. 28,
1780, and Capt. Barron, Deacon Badger and Capt. Spaulding
were chosen a committee to send a petition to the General Court

*County Hist., p. 507. f Blood, Hist, of Temple, p. 68. Jib. §T. Rs. II, p. 73.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 2S3

against this petition of Samuel Town and others. The report
and remonstrance of this committee is instructive, and contra-
dicts some of the implications of the petitioners.

Their petition in full is given in Town Papers, XII, pp. 510,
511. The remonstrance is as follows : —

To the Honorable the Councel & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembed.

The petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Lyudeborough by their
Committee. Humbly sheweth.

That Whereas the town has been served with a Cop}' of a petition of a
number of the Inhabitants of this Town Requesting that they with a
particular part of the town of Lyndeborough therein Mentioned May be
set of & Incorporated with Duxbury School Farm Mileslip with a part
of Amherst into a Town &c. &c the town being Legally As-
sembled Voted & Choose a Committee to Appear & Assign Reasons Ac.
cordingly.

We therefore the Committee beg leave in the Name & behalf of the
Town Humbly to Represent the following Reasons why the prayer of s*
petition should not be Granted and that part of Lyudeborough therein
Mentioned set of and annexed to Duxbury School Farm &c.

That in the year 1765 when the Town was Small but few Inhabitants
About 40 families in all when we Attempted to build a Meeting house &
settle the Gospel among us. Frequently when Town Meetings were
Called & we attempted to Agree upon a Particular Spot of Ground for
the Meetinghouse to Stand upon. They Voted Against Our proceedings
& threw in Protests offering the Following Reasons — Viz That the place
Voted is not Commodious for building a Meeting upon — And that they
were not able to Support a Minister — And in 1766 after the Meeting
house Spot Was fixed upon for their Accommodation they Cordially
Agreed with the other Inhabitants to proceed in building a Meeting
house & settling the Gospel in Town. And Accordingly the town did
Unanimously proceed in 1768 to build a Meeting house on s"i Spot to
Accommodate s'^ petitioners in particular & to settle the Gospel in s*^
Town which was done with Great Uninimity & which still Continues.
And as s'l Meeting house stands at a Great distance from the Center of
the Town Not More than two Miles from the East line Measuring from
the Meeting house And at least five miles from the west line of s*' town.
And the Meeting house has been handsomely & Decently finished at the
no Small Cost & charge of the Town, And as the Town is settling fast in
the North Northwest, West, & South, west part some of the Inhabitants
have now the Travil of 4, 5, 6 & 7 Miles as their Roads Run to Attend
Publick Worship ; And If s"* part of Lyndeborough Sh*! be set of such
Inhabitants from s"^ parts of the Town will Immediately Call for a Re-
move of the Meeting house or to be set off by themselves into Separate
Parishes to the Destruction of the Town Whereas the Cost & Charge of
Building & furnishing the Meeting house and settling the Gospel is
hardly Got Over by the Inhabitants in General as they arc Now Com-
pact together. Altho there has been the Greatest harmony and Concord
thro' the Whole Charge Moreover that from the North East of the

254 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Meeting house to the East line of the Town the Land is poor & not Capa-
ble of making Settlements & in all Probability will Never be Improved
And as from this Circumstance It will fully Appear that the Meeting
house was settled in its Present Place to accommodate s'^ Petitioners
Your Hon" will Easily See the Unreasonableness of their being set off
from the Town.

Again that iu the Northwest part of the Town there is a Large Range
of Mountains About two Miles from the Meeting house And a Great
Number of Inhabitants now settled on the West & North west part of
the Town beyond those Mountains And in all probability the whole
Tract will be settled in the Course of a few Years, when it is Likely they
will be set off by themselves. And If the Prayer of the Aforesaid Peti-
tioners Sh'i be Granted & the Laud therein Mentioned be set off And in
Process of Time the west Part of the Town likewise It will leave a Poor
Parish indeed such an One as Cannot by any means Support the Gospel &
Other Necessary Charges

We therefore Submit these Considerations to Your Hon" Wisdom to
Do therein as to Justice Shall Appertain And as in Duty Bound Shall

Ever pray

Levi Spaulding]
Benjamin Cram \ Committee *
David Badger J
The Editor added [The project did not succeed.]

But although this project failed the northwest parish in
Amherst was established the next year, June 30, 1781. Twenty
years then elapsed, and these parishioners again t " decided to
petition the General Court to incorporate them into a town,
with the same boundaries as those first established between the
First and Second Parishes ; also, that a strip of land half a
mile wide, lying in the easterly part of Lyndeborough, extend-
ing the entire length of this parish and adjoining it, be asked
for as a part of the new town." The town of Mont Vernon,
including only the lands originally within the bounds of the
northwest parish in Amherst was incorporated by act of the
legislature, and the signature of Governor John Taylor Gilman
was set to the charter, Dec. 15, 1803. The first town meeting
was held Jan. 23, 1804.

Nearly fifty years again passed, when a petition came to
Lyndeborough requesting that the tract of land, formerly
sought, should be severed from lyyndeborough and annexed to
Mont Vernon. The boundaries were thus given : + "Beginning
at the southwest corner of New Boston, and running southerly
to land of Burnham Russell ; thence easterly to the highway
running north and south by Peter Cram's dwellinghouse ;

♦Copied from Hammond XII pp. 519-521. t I^istory of Hillsboro Co., p. 733.

\t. R-s., Vol. V, pp. 166 and 167.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER TOWNS 255

thence southerly by said highway as far as the south line of
said Cram's home lot ; thence easterly by said Cram's land to
land of William Cleaves ; thence southerly by land of said
Cleaves, James Upton and others, as far south as the south line
of the town of Mont Vernon ; thence east to the southwest
corner of said Mont Vernon."

The town meeting at which this petition was presented. May
21, 1 85 1, voted "to reject the prayer of the petitioners; " and
further, ' ' that our Representative take such measures as neces-
sary to defeat the petition." *

These measures, whatever they were, proved insufficient for
the purpose. For although our records afford no direct state-
ment, a transcript of the line between lyyndeborough and Mont
Vernon, as surveyed by Sewall Putnam of Wilton, April 15
and 16, 1853, indicates that Mont Vernon received her request. t

The author of the sketch of Mont Vernon in the Hillsboro
County History, Charles J. Smith, wrote: + " There has been
since its incorporation but one territorial change in Mont Ver-
non. Through the persistent efforts of a few individuals, and
against the remonstrance of the large majority of its citizens, a
tract exceeding one thousand acres of land was annexed from
Lyndeborough to Mont Vernon at the winter session of the
Legislature of 1852. There were fourteen families added to the
population of Mont Vernon by this change."

MILFORD.

The last territory severed from lyyndeborough was a small
tract annexed to Milford. It is thus described in Milford His-
tory : —

Beginning at a stake & stones, on the town line between Milford &
lyjndeborough, on the north side of the highway leading from Milford
to Lyndeboro', thence running westerly by said north side of the high-
way about forty rods, thence southerly three rods to the south side of the
highway, thence westerly by said south side of the highway thirteen rods
to a stake & stones, thence southerly as the fence runs to the town line
thirty one & one fourth rods, thence easterly by said town line to the
bound first mentioned.

The territory thus detached from Lyndeborough consisted of
the homestead of the descendants of Silas Howard, whose son
Samuel served for I^yndeborough in the War of 181 2.

THE DUXBURY SCHOOL FARM.

Although no part of this tract came into our town, yet it is so

*Ib. p. 167. tib., p. 234. Jib., p. 740.

256 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

often mentioned in connection with the town that some descrip-
tion of it is desirable, for many people of our day who have
hardly any knowledge of it.*

"A Petition of Col. John Alden, Representative of the Town of Dux-
bury, Shewing that said Town is obliged by L,aw to maintain a Grammar
School, but by reason of the fewness of the Inhabitants and their Poverty
the Charge of the School lies heavy upon them, & therefore Praying that
this Court would make them a Grant of the Province Land the better to
enable them to defray the said Charge" was presented to the General
Court of Massachusetts, Mar. 4, 1733, and in response to it, the Court Or-
dered, "that the Town of Duxbury be & hereby is allowed & impowered
* * * to survey & lay out Five Hundred Acres of the Unappropriated
Lands of the Province, * * * for the maintenance & support of a
Grammar School there." This tract " began at a white oak marked on the
north side of the Souhegan River, above the upper end of the Charlestown
School Farm, & ran N. 200 rds.; from thence E. 400 rds. to Narragansett
No. 3, (or Amherst); thence S. 216 rds. to Souhegan River, & thence up
along by said river to where it first began."

Batchellor's State Papers, XXIV, p. 209, contains a plan of
it, though it is inverted, as printed.

This grant was made one year or more before that of Salem-
Canada, which was then unappropriated land. Hence, when
the next year, the grant of Salem-Canada was laid out, its
bounds began at that point in the line of Amherst, w^hich was
touched by the N. line of Duxbury School Farm, and Salem-
Canada south line coincided with the N. line of Duxbury
School Farm, the entire extent of the latter. This tract, there-
fore, adjoined L,yndeborough's south side, contiguous to the
original "home lots." It was afterwards divided into two
farms, one of which belonged to John Shepard, Esq., of Milford,
and at the organization of that town, in 1794, was included in it
as a constituent part.

Some of its residents did army service for Lyndeborough in
the Revolutionary War.

* Batch., XXIV, Town Charter, Vol. I, pp. 208-210.

CHAPTER XII.

Town Officers from 1764 to 1905.

The following list was thought to be sufficient to give an idea
of the town officers, though it omits very many important ser-
vices rendered by distinguished citizens. Those omitted were
for the most part viewed as of minor consequence. Such were
constables, highway surveyors, surveyors of wood and lumber,
sealers of weights and measures, sealers of leather, haywards,
deerkeepers, poundkeepers, tithing-men, hogreeves, &c.

We give in order, moderator, town clerk, representative.

1764

1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774

1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782

1783
1784

1785
1786
1787
1788
1789
1790
1791
1792
1793

John Shepard, Jr.

Benjamin Cram
<( i<

Jonathan Cram

David Badger
Adam Johnson
Benjamin Cram
David Badger

John Stevenson

Andrew Fuller

" " " " Ephraim Putnam

was chosen representative to the congress at Exeter
David Badger Andrew Fuller

Peter Clark Peter Clark

David Badger " "

Capt. Jacob Wellman " "

Lt. Reuben Spaulding Benjamin Jones
Capt. I/Cvi Spaulding Ephraim Putnam

Maj. Peter Clark
Jeremiah Carleton
Capt. Levi Spauhling

Nehemiah Rand
Peter Clark
Nehemiah Rand
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Capt. Levi Spaulding
Peter Clark
Maj. Peter Clark

Peter Clark

( ( t i

Ephraim Putnam

( ( ((

Peter Clark

Capt. Levi Spaulding
Capt. Levi Spaulding

C( (( (<

<< << ((

(( t t i(

Nehemiah Rand

i< <<

Peter Clark
(( <<
(< ((

Nehemiah Rand

258

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1794
-1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1B30
183 1
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836

1837
1838

1839
1840
1841
1842

1843
1844

Dr. Benjamin Jones
Capt. Wm. Dutton
Maj. Peter Clark
Ephraim Putnam
Maj. Peter Clark
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Maj. Peter Clark
Capt. Wm. Dutton
Dr. Benjamin Jones

Aaron Lewis

Dr. Benjamin Jones
Jacob Richardson
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Capt. Wm. Clark
Daniel Putnam
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Nehemiah Boutwell

Timothy Putnam
Nehemiah Boutwell
Timothy Putnam
Nehemiah Boutwell
Daniel Putuam
Nehemiah Boutwell

William Jones
Nehemiah Boutwell

Joseph Jones
Israel Putnam
Joseph Jones

Israel Putnam

Joseph Jones
Israel Putnam

Joseph Jones

Ephraim Putnam
if ((

Capt. Wm. Dutton
(( ((

Jacob Dascomb

^^ (€

<( ((

Jonathan Butler
(( (I

Dr. Benjamin Jones
<i (( <i

Caleb Huston
Nathan Wheeler

a (t

Aaron L,ewis
Nathan Wheeler

(( i(

Daniel Putnam

William Jones

Israel Herrick

Joshua Atwood

Nathan Jones
(I ((

Oliver Bixby

Nathan Jones
It ( (

Israel Herrick

Peter Clark
None sent
Ephraim Putnam

Dr. Benjamin Jones

K (( C

Jacob Dascomb
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Jacob Dascomb
Dr. Benjamin Jones
Lieut Daniel Putnam
Daniel Putnam

Jonathan Stephenson

Nehemiah Boutwell

Timothy Putnam
Daniel Putnam
Nehemiah Boutwell

Joseph Jones

Nehemiah Boutwell
Samuel Hartshorn

Israel Putnam

II II

Samuel T. Manahan
II If

Benjamin Jones
II 11

II 11

Daniel N. Boardman
1 1 If

Asa Manning

TOWN OFFICERS

259

1845
1846

1847
1848
1849
1850
185 1
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856

1857
1858

1859
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
T867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872

1873
1874

1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
18S9
1890
1891
1892

1893
1894

Amos Pratt

Daniel N. Boardman

Amos Pratt
Samuel Jones
Amos Pratt

Wm. H. Grant
Amos Pratt

John Richardson

Jonathan Stephenson Peter Cram
II i( (( ■<

IvUther Cram " "

David E. Proctor

John Richardson

Luther Cram

John C. Carkin
II (I

Luther Cram

David C. Grant
(< <i

Joel H. Tarbell
John C. Carkin

Jacob A. Woodward

Benjamin G. Her rick
Jacob A, Woodward

Fred B. Richards

Jacob A, Woodward

II II

John C. Carkin

Joel H. Tarbell

Oliver Bixby
i( II

Dr. Wm. A. Jones

(( i(

<( (<

II <i

Wm. J Herrick

Jesse Clement

Dea. David Putnam

Jotham Hildreth, Jr.

Sherebiah Manning

Ebenezer Russell

Wm. H. Grant
II i<

Charles Parker

Jotham Hildreth, Jr.

Israel Herrick

John Richardson
<i II

Israel Herrick
II ((

Jonathan Stephenson
II ((

John C. Goodrich

Dr. Wm. A. Jones Timothy T. Putnam

David E. Proctor " "

" " Luther Cram

George A. Putnam " "

" " George A. Putnam

Charles F. Tarbell Dr. Wm. A. Jones
Eli C.Curtis

II <i II <<

" «' Wm. W. Burton

(( <( <i i<

" " None sent

" " Franklin Senter

" " John H. Goodrich

Edgar A. Danforth Charles Tarbell
Charles F. Tarbell

" " Daniel B. Whittemore

<< <<

Gaylord B. Smith
Sent none
Jacob A. Woodward
Fred A. Richardson
Edgar A. Danforth
William W. Burton

Edgar A. Danforth

260

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1895 John C. Carkin Edgar A. Dan forth

1896 " "

1897 A. Iv. Curtis "

1898 " " "

1899 '• << "

1900 " " ••
1901

1902 A. ly. Curtis "

1903 Algernon W. Putnam "
1904
190S

SELECTMEN.

Arranged in order, chairman of the board of selectmen,
second selectman, third selectman.

Harry R. Chase
F. B. Richards
Benjamin G. Herrick
Andy Holt
Edward Iv. Curtis

1764

Jonathan Cram

Benjamin Cram

Wm. Carson

1765

John Stephenson

Edward Bevins, Jr.

David Badger

1766

Benjamin Cram

John Stephenson

Sergt. Jno. Hutchinson

1767

Jonathan Cram

(1 ((

Benjamin Cram

Jacob Wellman

Wm. Carson, Jr,

1768

Benjamin Cram

Edward Spaulding

James Boutwell

1769

David Badger

Osgood Carlton

Ephraim Putnam, Jr.

1770

John Stephenson

Adam Johnson

Andrew Fuller

I77I

James Boutwell

David Badger

Ephraim Putnam, Jr.

1772

David Badger

Ephraim Putnam, Jr

William Barron

1773

Ephraim Putnam, Jr

John Gould

John Ordway

1774

Andrew Fuller

David Badger

Levi Spaulding

1775

Francis Epps

Josiah Woodbury

Nathan Pearsons

1776

Andrew Fuller

Joseph Herrick

Nathaniel Phelps

1777

Peter Clark

Ephraim Putnam, Jr.

Jeremiah Carlton

1778

(1 (1

(( ((

David Badger

1779

Andrew Fuller, Esq.

Daniel Gould

Jacob Wellman

1780

Capt. Nat. Batchelder Capt. Jacob Wellman

Benjamin'Joues

Dea. David Badger

Jacob Cram

I78I

Ephraim Putnam

Jeremiah Carlton

Jonas Kidder

1782

<< <(

<( < (

i( <(

1783

<( <(

<( ((

(( ((

1784

<< ((

Jonas Kidder

Joseph Herrick

1785

<< ««

<( (1

<< <<

1786

<< <<

" "

1787

<< <c

Lt. Jeremiah Carlton

Jonathan Butler

1788

Peter Clark

<< <(

Capt. Jonas Kidder

1789

a l(

" "

Lt. Joseph Batchelder

1790

Dea. Ephraim Putnam Joseph Herrick

Capt. Jonas Kidder

I79I

11 <( i(

Ensign Abial Wilson

1792

*' " "

Jeremiah Carlton

Samuel Houston

1793

Peter Clark

Wm. Duttou

Lt. Aaron Lewis

1794

Flphraim Putnam

Capt. Aaron Lewis

Lt. Jacob Dascomb

1895

(( <(

" Wm. Dutton

John Woodward

1796

Capt. \Vm. Duttou

John Woodward

Uriah Cram

1797

(< (( ((

Uriah Cram

Eliphalet Badger

TOWN OFFICERS

261

1798

Jacob Dascomb

Ens. Joseph Epps, 2n

i\ Lt. Wm. Clark

1799

(< i(

II II

1800

i( i<

1 1 i<

II II

iSoi

(1 ((

II II

1802

(1 (1

II II

II i(

1803

Jonathan Butler

Daniel Putnam

Oliver Whiting

1804

K ((

Edmund Perkins

Uriah Cram

1805

Benjamin Jones

II 1 1

Caleb Huston

1806

Benjamin Jones

Edmond Perkins

Caleb Huston

1807

Caleb Huston

Nathan Wheeler

Benjamin Goodrich

i8c8

Nathan Wheeler

Benjamin Goodrich

Jotham Hildreth

1809

" "

II II

11 II

1810

Aaron L,ewis

Jonathan Butler

Gideon Cram

1811
1812
1813

Nathan Wheeler
II 1 1

Capt. Benj. Goodrich

Jotham Hildreth
II II

i< II

Edmond Perkins

Joseph Jones

1814

II II

<i II

II II

1815

Daniel Putnam

i< <i

II II

1816

<i II

II II

Benj. Jones, Jr.

1817

II II

Benjamin Jones, Jr.

Jotham Hildreth

1818

1 1 II

II II

1819

II II

1820

II II

It II

1821

William Jones

Capt. Benj. Goodrich

Samuel Hartshorn

1822

II II

II i«

Jacob Flinn

1823

II II

11 II

1824

II II

Jacob Flinn

Israel H. Goodrich

1825

Daniel Putnam

Asa Manning

Joshua Atwood

1826

II II

1827

Joshua Atwood

Oliver Bixby

Henry Cram

1828

II 11

II II

Oliver Whiting

1829

Henry Cram

Asa Manning

Daniel N. Boardman

1830

II II

Daniel N. Boardman

James L. Clark

183 1

II II

1832

II II

James L. Clark

Ebenezer Russell

1833

Wm. Jones

Asa Manning

Daniel N. Boardman

1834

Daniel N. Boardman

David Putnam

James Cram, 2nd

1835

Samuel T. Manahan

Joshua Atwood

Oliver Whiting

1836

II II

II K

" "

1837

Israel Herrick

Oliver Whiting

Jacob Butler

1838

Daniel N. Boardman

Asa Manning

Ebenezer Russell

1839

i< II

David Stiles

Samuel Jones

1840

Oliver Whiting

II i(

Ebenezer Fisk

1841

David Stiles

James L. Clark

Samuel Jones

1842

Oliver Whiting

Samuel T. Manahan

Ebenezer Fisk

1843

Daniel N. Boardman

Samuel Jones

Peter Cram

1844

i( II

i< 11

II II

1845

Samuel Jones

Peter Cram

Dexter Burton

1846

■ 1 11

II (<

K 11

1847

Amos Pratt

Jonathan Stephenson Jotham Hildreth, Jr

262

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1848
1849
1850
185 1
1852

1853
1854
1855
1856

1857
1858

1859
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872

1873
1874

1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1 886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892

1893
1894

1895
1896
1897

Dexter Burton
R/.ra Dane
Luther Cram
(( ((

Dexter Burton
Jos. Chamberlain, Jr.
Jotham Hildreth
Amos Pratt
Samuel Jones

David K. Holt
Jotham Hildreth, Jr.
Daniel Woodward, Jr.

Samuel Jones
Jotham Hildreth
David C. Grant
John Hartshorn
John F. Holt

Jonathan Stephenson Charles Henry Holt
Charles Henry Holt Wm. W. Howard

John Hartshorn
Edward P. Spalding
Nath'l T. Mclntire
Harvey Perham
Charles H. Holt
Rufus Chamberlain
Charles H. Holt
Rufus Chamberlain
Wm. W. Howard
" " John Richardson

Nathaniel T. Mclntire Eli C. Curtis
David E- Proctor Andy Holt

Charles Henry Holt Jonathan Danforth

Wm. W. Howard
John Hartshorn
Joel H. Tarbell

Luther Cram

George E. Spalding
Rufus Chamberlain

Rufus Chamberlain
George Rose
Adoniram Russell
George Rose
Levi P. Hadley
Adoniram Russell
Daniel B.Whittemore Albert Cram
" " Jason Holt

Luther Cram
George Rose
Adoniram Russell
David C. Grant
Levi P. Hadley
Adoniram Russell
Jason Holt

Nathaniel Mclntire
George Rose
Charles H. Senter
Everett E. Lowe
Charles L. Perham
Andy Holt
Charles H. Senter
Jason Holt
Charles H. Senter
Jacob A. Woodward
Andy Holt
Warren A. ICaton
Harry R. Chase
Andy Holt
Fred A. Richardson
Will C. Wilder
Andy Holt

George Rose
Charles H. Senter
Everett E. Lowe
Charles L. Perham
David G. Dickey
Charles H. Senter
Charles L. Perham
Charles H. Senter
Jacob A. Woodward
Andy Holt
Warren A. Eaton
Harry R. Chase
Charles H. Senter
Fred A. Richardson
Will C. Wilder
Harry R. Chase
Fred A. Richardson

Ezra Dane
Luther Cram
Sherebiah Manning
Jos. Chamberlain, Jr.
Howard S. Blood
Howard S. Blood
Rufus Chamberlain
Eli C. Curtis
Rufus Chamberlain
Wm. H. Howard
John Hartshorn
Edward P. Spalding
Joel H. Tarbell
Charles Tarbell
John H. Goodrich
John F. Holt
George E. Spalding

Wm. W. Howard
John Richardson
Edmand J. Parker
David E. Proctor
Luther Cram

Wilkes H. Hadley
Adoniram Russell
John M. Emery
Erwin D. Wilder
Adoniram Russell
Jason Holt
Albert Cram
George Rose
Levi P. Hadley
Charles H. Senter
Everett E. Lowe
Charles L. Perham
Levi P. Hadley
Andy Holt
Benjamin J. Boutwell
Jason Holt
Jacob A. Woodward
Andy Holt
Warren A. Eaton
Edwin H. Putnam
Charles H. Senter
Andy Holt
W. C. Wilder
Harry R. Chase
Andy Holt
Frank H. Eaton

TOWN OFFICERS

263

1899

Fred A. Richardson

Andy Holt

Charles H. Senter

1900

Charles H. Senter

Fred A. Richardson

Har^-ey E. Holt

I90I

Charles H. Senter

Fred A. Richardson

Edward L. Curtis

1902

Andy Holt

Edward t,. Curtis

Jason Holt

1903

Edward L Curtis

Jason Holt

Andy Holt

1904

Jason Holt

Andy Holt

Edward L. Curtis

1905

Andy Holt

Edward L. Curtis

Edward W. Dolliver

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The list of the Justices of the Peace here given, apart from
Andrew Fuller, seems to have been procured and partly fur-
nished by W. H. Grant, Esq, It was among the papers of D.
C. Grant.

NAMES

Andrew Fuller
Peter Clark
Nehemiah Rand
Levi Spaulding
Benjamin Jones
Timothy Putnam
Nehemiah Boutwell

JUSTICES

DATES OF APPOINTMENT,

Town voted to recommend, 1776 (?)

Dec. 20, 1784-1815

May 22, 1787

June 8, 1 791

Dec. 6, 1800

June 19, 1819

June 23, 1821

OF THE PEACE AND QUORUM.
Dates not given.

Luther Cram
Charles H. Holt
Peter Cram
Dexter Burton
Joel H. Tarbell
William H. Grant
William A. Jones
William J. Herrick
Eli C. Curtis
Jacob Butler
Rufus Chamberlain
William W. Curtis
John H. Goodrich
George A. Putnam
Nathaniel T. Mclntire
Charles F. Tarbell

Dr. Benjamin Jones
David Stiles
Israel Herrick
David C. Grant
John Richardson
Daniel Putnam
William Jones
Joseph Jones
Joshua Atwood
Israel H. Goodrich
David Putnam
Oliver Bixby
Benjamin Jones
Daniel N. Boardman
Isaac P. French
Jesse Clement
David E. Proctor

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Joseph A. Johnson Walter 8. Tarbell

John C. Carkin

THE TITHING-MAN.

In old English law, a tithing was " a civil division composed
of ten freeholders and their families, all bound as sureties for
the peaceable behavior of each other." Anciently in England,

264 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

the chief or principal man of a tithing, who decided small
causes, was called a tithing-man.* It would be an easy matter
to pass from such an office to that of " a town or parish ofl&cer,
chosen for enforcing the observance of Sunday and preserving
order during church service " ; and hence, in the early days of
New England, we find that the tithing-man was regularly a
town officer, chosen annually.

There is a reference to such an ofl&cial in the " New England
Magazine" for Aug., 1902,! in the description of Weston,
Mass., which says, " A drum called the worshipers to meeting,
instead of the ' bells which now knoll to church ' ; and tithing-
men or constables kept the congregation in order with wand, a
hare's foot on one end and hare's tail on the other. Children
were not allowed to sit with their parents."

The historian of Antrim, N. H., wrote : "In earliest times,
children big enough to leave the mother's knee were put on the
stairs, or in a box pew by themselves and put under the care of
a ' tithing-man' to keep them quiet." The tithing-men, also,
made a great deal of noise in keeping the young people still,
and accomplished a fair amount of confusion in preserving
order. \

It is said that one man having ' ' bin chose to wake y^ sleepers
in meeting, & being much proud of his place, must need have a
fox taile fixed to y'^ end of a long staff wherewith he may brush
the faces of them y* will have naps in time of discourse ; like-
wise a sharp thorn wherewith he may prick such as be moste
sounde. On y*' last Eord his day, as he strutted about y^ meet-
ing house, he did spy a farmer sleeping with much comforte,
his head kept steady by being in y*" corner, & his hand grasping
the rail. And so spying, he did quicklie thrust his staff along
the rail & give him a grievous prick upon the hand. Where-
upon the farmer did spring upp much above y'' floor, & with a
terrible force strike his hand against y'' wall, & also to y^ great
wonder of all, prophainlie exclaim in a loud voice, ' Cuss the
woodchuck ! ' he dreaming, as it seemed, y* the woodchuck had
bit him."

It is said that on one occasion, " George Washington, after he
was president, was stopped by a tithing-man and narrowl}^ es-
caped arrest, because, having missed his way, he had to travel
Sunday morning to reach a certain place for worship. §

* standard Dictionary. \ History of Antrim, N. H., pp. 365, 266.

t P. 663. t N. E. Mag. for Oct. 1902, p. 168.

TOWN OFFICERS 265

These incidents, however, need not lead us to think that the
tithing-men were very often malevolent popinjays. In our town,
some of the gravest and most dignified citizens were usually se-
lected to fill this important office. This will be apparent from a
few of the names of such as served : Ephraira Putnam, Benja-
min Cram, David Badger, James Boutwell, William Barron,
Amos Whittemore, &c.

CONSTABI.ES AND COI.I.ECTORS OF TAXES.

The town in its early years was accustomed to elect two con-
stables. To these was usually assigned the duty of collecting
the taxes ; and one or both of them served the warrant for the
town meetings. They also served other warrants and legal
papers of the town issued by the selectmen or by justices of the
peace, and were, in general, the executors of the laws and pre-
servers of good order in the town.

The constable who warned the annual meeting for 1775 was

John Ordway, and at that meeting Robert Badger was chosen

first constable, and Jacob Cram second.* The warrant for the

meeting reads :

" Province of New Hampsliire ^ To John Ordway Consta-
& County of Hillsborough Ss. \ ble for the Town of Lynde-

J borough. Greeting.

Pursuant to the Laws of the Province for regulating a Warning of
Town Meeting, You are hereby required in his Majesty's Name, forth-
with to warn the freeholders & other inhabitants of the above said Town
that are duly qualified by law to vote in common town affairs that they
meet at the Meeting house in said Town on Tuesday the 14th day of
March next, at nine of the clock in the forenoon &c."

Before the next annual meeting came, the style of the warn-
ing was changed. It was no longer issued in his "Majesty's
Name."

A little more than a month after this meeting was held, the

battle of lycxington was fought, and his Majesty's squadrons

were driven back to Boston, and kept there unable to enforce

his requirements. Hence, when the next March meeting was

warned, it was done in this way :

Hillsborough Ss. \ This is to give notice to the inhabitants of the Town
i of Lyndeborough, &c. that they are desired to as-
semble at the meeting house &c.

In giving the warning on another occasion the words,
" Pro\dnce of New Hampshire, Hillsborough Ss," were used,
as if by oversight. Another form was,

*T. R. II, p. 3.

266 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Hillsborough Ss. "i These are to require you in the name of
J the Government and People forthwith to
warn all freeholders &c.

But another form of the warning followed, thus :

State of New Hampshire, | This is still used, and long
Hillsborough Ss. j may it continue to be ! for it

voices the authority of a sovereign and independent state.
This was adopted late in the year 1776, and Eleazer Wood-
ward was the constable who served it.

THE COI^LECTION OF TAXES.

The collection of the taxes w^as of course an important mat-
ter, and was to be annually provided for. This duty usually
devolved on the constables, and in the earlier days was not a
very onerous matter. But with the increase of population, and
many miles of travel to reach the scattered settlers, the work
became more difl&cult, and some adequate remuneration was
necessary to compensate for the trouble. We purpose to present
a few samples of the premiums given for this service, and the
conditions imposed at a few of the periods.

In 1794 chose " Ephraim Kidder constable and collector, and
voted to give him seven pence on the pound for collecting, he
paying within the year." In 1803 "chose John Stephenson
collector, and gave him nine cents on $3.33 for collecting."
The next year John Stephenson was chosen both " constable
and collector of taxes, and voted to give him ten cents on the
pound for collecting the same." In 1807, also, the town
"chose John Stephenson collector of town, state, county and
school taxes, and voted him a premium of two cents and four
mills upon every dollar."

The next year, the town voted to " vendue " the taxes, and
Eleazer Woodward bid them off, at three cents per dollar, and
was chosen collector.

In 1809, it was voted " that the collection of taxes be put to
the lowest bidder with the privilege of the constableship, if the
town so choose. Lt. Jotham Blanchard bid of the collection of
taxes at three cents per dollar, for every dollar that may be com-
mitted to him ; ' ' and he was chosen both collector and con-
stable.

John Woodward bid off the collection of the taxes at three
cents and eight mills per dollar in 18 10, and he was chosen
constable. The next year he received but three cents and two

TO WN OFFICERS 267

mills per dollar ; and Mr. Nehemiah Boutwell was chosen con-
stable.

In 1813, the town voted the collector a premium of "three
cents three mills on the dollar, for what money he pays into the
treasury, on or before the first day of March next after receiv-
ing the warrant of collection ; and that he have no premium for
collecting money due after that time." The coUectorship was
struck off to John Besom, Jr., agreeable to the foregoing con-
ditions.

A rather unusual thing occurred in 18 19, when Mr. Ira
Huston " agreed to collect the taxes for the honor of the office."
He was chosen both constable and tax collector. There is no
sign in the records of any unfaithfulness or failure in his duties.
We suspect, however, that he may have been sufficiently filled
with the honor, to eschew seeking a second term of service ; for,
the next year, Jacob Butler bid off " the collection of the money
to be assessed," at the rate of three cents and four mills on the
dollar, and was chosen both tax collector and constable.

In 1825, voted a discount of five per cent, to all persons who
pay their whole tax at Oliver Bixby's the first Monday of
September ; to all who there pay on the first Monday of Novem-
ber, three per cent.; to all who pay on the first Monday of Janu-
ary, a discount of one per cent.; after that the collector was to
finish his collection as soon as possible. Joshua At wood bid off
the collection of all the money to be raised, at thirty-three
dollars ; and was elected constable.

In 1826, the collection of taxes was bid off by Mr. Edmund
Perkins at nineteen dollars ; and the same percentage was
allowed as in the previous year.

In 1 83 1, the collection of taxes was struck off to Mr. Gideon
Cram, the lowest bidder, at thirty-nine dollars ; and he was
chosen collector.

WARRANT FOR THE COLI^ECTION OF TAXES IN 1 786.

To David Putnam one of the
" State of New Hampshire ) Constables for the Town of lyynde-
Hillsborough Ss. J borough & State and County afore-

said,

Greeting :

Pursuant to the Law
of this State for levying & collecting Public Taxes, — You are
hereby Required forthwith to Levy & Collect the following
Rates (viz.) the several sums set and annexed to each person's

268 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

name. The sum set in the first column in the list herewith com-
mitted to you, being their proportion of Rightysix Pound, two
shillings & ten pence, the sums which we have assessed the
polls & estates in this Town, by a Warrant from the Treasurer
of this State ; and the sum set in the second column in said list,
being their proportion of Fortyfive Pound & three pence ; and
the sum set in the third column of said list, being their propor-
tion of Fiftyseven Pound Eight shillings & seven pence;"
Then follow the sums to be paid into the State Treasury & and
the dates of the payments, & the disposition to be made of any
remainder in the hands of the collector. " And if any person
or persons shall refuse or neglect to pay their proportion of the
aforesaid sums, then you are to take it by Distraint as the Law
directs upon his or their goods or chatties ; and for want thereof,
you are to take the body of the person or persons so refusing or
neglecting, & commit him or them to the common goal of this
County, there to remain till he or they shall pay the sum or
sums on him or them so assessed, & the cost thereby arising.
And for your so doing, this shall be your suflBcient warrant.

Given under our hand & seal at Lyndeborough, this twenty-
sixth Day of April, Anno Domini, One thousand Seven hun-
dred & Eighty six.

Ephraim Putnam ]g^j^^^^^^ of

Jonas Kidder

Jonas Kiader r -^ , , ,

Joseph Herrick j I^yndeborough

The list of names follows, but only the sum set against each
in the first column is given, which represents specie, and suffic-
iently indicates the relative value of each man's taxable estate
in the town.

TAX LIST.

£ S. d. qrs. £ S. d. qrs,

Lemuel Abbott o 211 o Jeremiah Carletou o 13 i i

William Blaney o 10 2 John Carkin on 8 3

Benjamin Burroughs 019 Uriah Cram o 12 10 3

Thomas Boffee 0542 David Cram o 12 4 2

John Boffee o 14 8 2 Jacob Cram o 17 o i

John Besom o 14 4 2 Eunice Carleton 0070

James Boutwell o 13 3 Jonathan Chamberlain 046

Jonathan Butler 080 John Chamberlain 0661

Jotham Blanchard 0893 Jona. Chamberlain, Jr, o 13 3 o

Micah Barron o 6 i i Benjamin Cram, Jr. 0701

Ephraim Bixby 0510 Daniel Cram 0623

William Carson i o 8 i Benjamin Curtis 0360

Solomon Cram o 13 6 2 John Cram o 2 11 o

TOWN OFFICERS

269

William Dutton

Isaac Day

Abraham Dunsmore

Jacob Dascomb

Samuel Ellinwood

Elijah Flint

Nehemiah Frost

Daniel Gould

Samuel Hutchinson

John Hartshorn

Nehemiah Hutchinson

Joseph Hobbs

Samuel Hutchinson, Jr.

David Haselton

Nathan Haselton

Silas Howard

Adam Johnson

Adam Johnson, Jr.

Thomas Hutchinson

John Kidder, Jr.

Samuel Killam

Benjamin Killam

John Hutchinson

Enoch Holt

Benjamin Lewis

Samuel McMaster

John McMaster

Thomas McMaster

Hugh McAdams

Robert McAdams

John Peabody

Nathaniel Phelps

Jonathan Pearson

Amos Pearson

Ephraim Putnam

Ephraim Putnam, Jr
David Putnam
Aaron Putnam
John Putnam
Didymus Pearson
Nehemiah Rand
Walter Ross
Thomas Richardson
Daniel Russell
John Rowe
Luther Smith
Widow Stephenson
John Smith
Samuel Stiles
Oliver Holt
John Thompson
Samuel Towns
Thomas Towns, Jr.
Thomas Towns
Jacob Wellman
Jacob Wellman, Jr.
John Wellman
Amos Wilkins
Amos Wilkins, Jr.
John Woodward
Abial Wilson
Joseph Killam
Benjamin Killam, Jr.
Moses Peabody
Cesar Freeman
Isaac Wilkins
Samuel Stuart
Wid. Stephenson, (Cram
farm) o

Subsequent names seem to
payers.

William Bowers 0400

Simeon Blodget o i 11 2

Joshua Burnam o i i o

Samuel Blanchard 0123

John Bell 0123

Jacob Butler o 2 11 o

Jonathan Batchelder 0152

Simeon Cummings 0313

Samuel Chace 0180

Ephraim Crosby 0083

Benjamin Lewis, Jr. o i 10 3

John Hale 0172

be those of non-resident tax

Josiah Dodge
Capt. Farmer
Jacob Howard
Timoth}^ Kendall
William Kidder
James Levsds
Ebenezer Pearson's est.
John Parker
Jacob Putnam
Jacob Putnam, Jr.
Abner Stiles
Timothy Winn

1 6

2 o
I 10

1 7

2 o

r 5
2 5
I II

I 7
I I

I 5
4 o

270 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Joseph Winn 0400 Joseph Sterns o o 10 o

Henry Putnam 0303 Hardy and Watkins 0221

Benjamin Taylor 0272 Thomas Hills 0070

James Hopkins 0351 Abner Hutchinson 0070

Ovid Haselton o i 10 2

The following names seem to be those of the original proprie-
tors and their heirs.

Reuben Wright 0092 Dr. Lemmon 0180

John Ames 0081 Dr. Lemmon 0180

Swett 0050 Heirs of Lynde o 2 10 o

Robert Hooper 0051 Heirs of Lynde o 211 o

Robert Hooper o i 10 3 Heirs of Lynde o o 10 2

Robert Hooper 0043 Heirs of Lynde 0083

Robert Hooper 0083 Heirs of Lynde 0180

Robert Hooper o i 10 3 Heirs of Lynde 0081

Robert Hooper 0180 Stephen Goodhue 0282

Widow Fletcher 0013 John Burton 0152

Timothy Hartshorn 0013

Robert Means 0083 Apparent footing 40 : 14 : 8:3

The seemingly low rates of the proprietors and their heirs
were probably due to the fact that only small portions of their
original estates remained unsold, for which they were taxed.
Robert Means was an Amherst resident. Dr. Lehman belonged
in Hollis, the heirs of Hooper and Lynde and Stephen Goodhue
were Massachusetts people, and John Burton was probably a
Wilton man.

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.

Nearly every warrant for town-meeting illustrated that divine
saying, " The poor ye have with you always, and when ye will
ye may do them good," One of the questions in the warrant
for the annual town meeting was generally, " What method
will the town adopt for the support of poor ? " In the early
days of the town the poor were comparatively few. The law in
those days permitted the selectmen to warn out of town any
new comers who were likely to become town charges, and
properly belonged in other towns. The records show no in-
stance of any attempt to evade the care of poor who belonged
in town ; nor on the contrary, do they show any disposition to
submit to having poor thrust upon them who belonged else-
where. Hence, in the year 1770, two families, one containing
eight persons, and another six, and also a single person, who
were likely to become a burden on the town, were warned to
depart out of town.

A family of this kind which came into our town from Wilton

TOWN OFFICERS 271

in 1773 was duly warned out according to law. But there was
a failure to enforce the law, which occasioned the town consid-
erable trouble and expense. .

The warrant for this warning was served, and a copy of the
same sent to Stephen Holland, Esq., clerk of Hillsboro Ses-
sions, who about that time left the office, and was succeeded by
Robert Fletcher, Esq. Upon the removal of the papers belong-
ing to said office, the* "warrant with many other papers was
lost, and no record of the same to be found, whereby the Town
of Eyndeborough is likely to become chargeable with the main-
tenance of the said family." Hence, the town, through its
representative, Nehemiah Rand, petitioned the lyCgislature
" that the said warrant & Service «& returning may be Good &
Established So that the Town of Lyndeborough may have the
Benefit of the Eaws of this State in Such Cases made & pro-
vided &c."

A committee of the legislature upon this petition reported as
follows :

That in the latter end of May, 1773, the then selectmen of
Ivyndeborough made out a warrant in the Following words viz

province of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
(Seal) To James Boutwell Constable for the Town of Ivynde-
borough in said County Greeting.

Whereas there is a person come of Late with his wife to
sojourn or Dwell in This Town & last came from Wilton in
this County viz Elisha Wilkins & wife and are not by Law In-
habitants of this Town therefore are likely to become too
chargeable to this Town unless means are taken to prevent the
Same. Pursuant therefore to the Laws of this Province in that
case made & provided.!

You are hereby required in his Majesties Name instantly to
warn the said Elisha Wilkins & wife to depart & leave this
Town within fourteen days from this date, hereof fail not &
make return of this warrant with your proceedings thereon to
the Clerk of his Majesties Court of General Sessions of the
Peace next to be holden at Amherst

Given under our hands & Seals the day of May 1773

Signed by the Select men.

Your Committee also find that the said w^arning was ser^^ed
by the said James Boutwell on the said Wilkins & wife about
the first of June 1773 & sent by him to the Clerk of the Ses-

*Hammond Town Papers, XII., pp. 524-526. fBatch., XXI., p. 316.

272 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

siou by Andrew Fuller Ksq. with money to pay for recording
the Same, & the said Fuller delivered the said warning &
money to the then Clerk of the Sessions at the Sessions of said
Court in July 1773 & the said warrant cannot now be found in
the Clerks Office.

Therefore your Committee agree to report that upon any
tryal respecting the Settlement of said Wilkins and wife the
Town of Ivyndeborough or any others concerned may offer in
Evidence the before recited warrant which shall be deemed as
good & legal evidence as the original would have been if the
same had not been lost, & shall be considered as dated the last
day of May signed by the then Selectmen & served on the first
day of June 1773. Signed Francis Worster for the Committee
which report being read & considered voted that it be received
& accepted. Sent up by Mr. Rand.

Editor Hammond informs us that the foregoing report was
adopted, and was in the hand- writing of John Sullivan.*

The next year the town chose a committee of fifteen to peti-
tion the General Court " for a redress of the grievance we labor
under respecting Elisha Wilkins." The committee were : —
Dr. Benjamin Jones Mr. James Boutwell

Dea. Ephraim Putnam Andrew Fuller Esq.

Mr. John Reynolds Cap. Samuel Huston

Peter Clark L,t. Jotham Blancliard

Lt. Amos Whittemore Lt. Jeremiah Carleton

Capt. William Blaney Ensign Abiel Willson

Mr. Joseph Herrick Capt. Benjamin Epes

Capt. William Barron

No report of this committee appears upon our town records.

There was a petition from the selectmen about that time,
which is reported as non-concurred by the General Court, which
perhaps may have related to this case.t Some of our town's
people afterwards attempted to get the matter revived ; but the
town, twice, at least, dismissed the subject, so that further efforts
in that direction were not encouraged. Thus the town endeav-
ored, though without success, to free itself from a burden which
had come upon it from its neighbor.

In 1775, it was voted " to raise 4:0:0 L. M. for the support of
the poor this year. ' '

In November of the same year, it was voted, " to sell the
cow that was purchased by the Overseers of the Poor for the
Town," and afterwards returned to the town. "Dea. Cram,

*Batch., XII., p. 526. tBatch., XXI., p. 331.

TOWN OFFICERS 273

Doctor Jones and Nathaniel Phelps were chosen a committee to
sell the Town's cow at a public vandue."

In 1776, the town voted that the overseers of the poor " take
care of the necessitous poor, and lay their account before the
town." This course appears to have been followed for a num-
ber of years. The next entry regarding the poor relates to
the overseers' request for instructions in regard to " binding out
a poor child cast upon the town." They were authorized
" to use their best judgment in the case."

The common method of caring for them, for many years,
was to " vendue " them to the lowest bidder. In this way they
were taken to the homes of those citizens who were able and
willing to receive them and care for them on the lowest terms.
Hence in 1790, there were small sums of money on account of
the poor, due to David Putnam, David Cram, Benjamin Jones,
Capt. Barron, Capt. Kidder, Ithamar Woodward, Uriah Cram,
James Boutwell, Solomon Cram, Jacob Cram and John Smith,
all of whom shared in this work, although only Mr. James
Boutwell and Capt. Barron were the overseers of the poor. The
selectmen were frequently chosen also overseers of the poor.
This custom long retained its hold. There was a slight de-
parture from it when Joseph Jones and Israel H. Goodridge, in
1825, were chosen overseers of the poor, though the latter was
also one of the selectmen. But in 1826, an entirely distinct
board of overseers of the poor was chosen, and the next year
the town voted "to purchase a farm," and chose Israel H.
Goodridge, Asa Manning, Capt. William Clark, Jotham Hil-
dreth and Elias Mclntire, a committee to purchase the farm,
and also stock and tools, and to make all necessary repairs on
the buildings.

Of the several farms purchasable, that of Mr. Eleazar Wood-
ward, containing 133 acres, was bought for fifteen hundred
dollars. The committee reported that they paid for all, live
stock, tools, repairs and household stuff two thousand, one
hundred and seven dollars and eighty-seven cents. The re-
port was accepted by the town, and thus its experiment of car-
ing for the poor upon its own farm was tried.

The names of the superintendents and their terms of service
follows:

Levi Mclntire, 1828, 1829, Town Records, Vol. IV, pp. 82, 109; Israel
Woodward, 1830, 1831, pp. 133, 156; David Holt, 1832, p. 184 ; Jesse Read,
1833, 1834, pp. 209, 238; William Carson, 1835, p. 264; James Grant,

2 74 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

1836-1838, pp. 292, 332, 357; George Smith, 1839, p. 385; William
Fisher, 1840, 1841, pp. 419, 455; Samuel Jones, 1842-1844, pp. 477, 501,
534; Samuel Jones, 1845, Town Records, Vol. V, p. i ; Sylvester Proctor,
1846-1848, pp. 28, 44, 64 ; Mynard Button, 1849, p. 93 ; Persons S. Holt,
1850, p. 122; James Grant, 1851, p. 158; Henry Clark, 1852, p. 184; James
R. Wright, 1853-1858, pp. 226, 262, 304, 353, 409, 451; Ebenezer Fisk,
1859, p. 481; William Ryerson, i860, Town Records, Vol. VI, p. 19;
B. F. Woodbury, 1861-1865, pp. 99, 122, 177, 223, 271 ; A. F. Clark, 1866,
p. 367 ; Martin Whitney, 1867-1869, pp. 419. 465 ; D. G. Dickey, 1870,
Town Records, Vol. VII, p. 20.

In 1870, the town voted to sell its farm and all personal prop-
erty. The sale was effected April 16, 1870, the net proceeds
amounting to $5601.18. Since that time our town has adopted
the county system.

AID FOR SUFFERERS BY THE PORTSMOUTH FIRES.

The annual town meeting in lyyndeborough, March i, 1803,
voted ' ' to choose a committee to send an answer to the request
of the town of Portsmouth respecting the sufferers by the late
fire."

Benjamin Jones, Esq., and Peter Clark, Esq., together with
the selectmen, Jonathan Butler, Daniel Putnam and Oliver
Whiting, were chosen as this committee. We have found no re-
port of their doings. But the character of the men composing
the committee forbids us to think that they were either indiffer-
ent to the suffering or inefficient in affording relief.

Respecting this fire in Dec, 1802, one of the historians of
N. H. wrote : "Near the close of the year, the town of Ports-
mouth was visited by a most calamitous conflagration, which
consumed more than a hundred buildings, and laid waste a fair
and important portion of the place. The amount of property de-
stroyed was estimated at two hundred thousand dollars ; and more
than forty-five thousand were contributed in various places for
the relief of the sufferers."*

But a much more disastrous conflagration occurred in Ports-
mouth near the close of the year 181 3, by which nearly four
hundred buildings were reduced to ashes, including a flourish-
ing portion of the town. ' ' More than one-fourth of these were
dwelling houses, many of them large and elegant. So intense
was the fire, that in the evening, the reflection of the light from
the clouds was visible in the western parts of the State, and even
in Vermont to the summits of the Green Mountains, a distance
of more than one hundred miles. Earge contributions of money

♦Whiton, p. 171.

TO WN OFFICERS

275

and provisions" were collected from all quarters for the relief of
the numerous sufferers."*

In these contributions it is pleasant to know that our town
had a generous share. A little subscription book, an interest-
ing relic, now yellow with age, yet well preserved, and written
in the neat, legible penmanship of Nathan Wheeler, gives evi-
dence of the interest our town's people manifested in contribut-
ing for the relief of the distressed. Every page contains the
name or names of Revolutionary veterans and of citizens then
prominent in the town's affairs. A sample page from the an-
cient document would certainly interest the curious and awaken
memories of some who were both loved and honored in their
times.

I^YNDEBOROUGH TREASURERS.

Very much might be said in various connexions of some of
the men on our list below. In the days of the Revolution,
Ephraim Putnam bought the ammunition, James Boutwell kept
the "powder dry," and Peter Clark and his company fired it
away at Bennington and at Saratoga. Again, while six of those
named served but one year each, yet their brief service in no
wise indicated any inferiority; for one of them was a revolution-
ary minute-man, another the first native of Eyndeborough to
become a college graduate, and a third a soldier in our civil
war. The second column furnishes the names of those distin-
guished for many years of service, that of Nehemiah Boutwell
appearing four times, and representing nineteen years of service;
that of Nathaniel T. Mclntire eighteen years, I^evi P. Hadley
fourteen years, and that of Josiah Wheeler, who surpassed all
others, thirty-two years of continuous service. Surely these
may be justly reckoned as among the ofl5cial worthies of our
town.

1765-73 Ephraim Putnam
1774-77 James Boutwell
1778-91 Peter Clark

No record of Treasurer's name
from 1782-90. But the name
was presumably omitted by
oversight.
1 791 Jeremiah Carleton

1792-95 Dr. Benjamin Jones
1796-97 Capt. William Button
179S-1802 Jacob Dascomb
1803-04 Jonathan Butler
1S05-06 Dr. Benjamin Jones

1807 Caleb Huston

1808 Jacob Richardson

1809 Nehemiah Boutwell

1810 Jacob Richardson
1811-1S Nehemiah Boutwell
1819 Timothy Richardson
1820-24 Nehemiah Boutwell
1825 Aaron Barnes
1S26-30 Nehemiah Boutwell
183 1 Oliver Bixby
1832-64 Josiah Wheeler
1865-66 Samuel Jones
1867-69 George E. Spalding
1870-87 Nathaniel T. Mclntire
1888 Byron Putnam
1889-1902 Levi P. Iladley
1903-05 Charles H. Tarbell

* Whiton, p. 182.

CHAPTER XIII.
BCCI.ESIASTICAI. Matters.

THE CONGREGATlONAIy CHURCH, BY J. A. WOODWARD.*

The Congregational form of church government, or govern-
ment of the church by its members, originated with the Pilgrim
fathers, and in its elementary form came with the Mayflower.
In this new and rugged land it was nurtured by strong men
whose memory of persecution for belief's sake was fresh and
who had come to this country to enjoy religious liberty. This
form of creed soon became the prevailing religion of New
England. These Puritans wanted no elders or bishop to pre-
scribe rules of church government, for them, and like the de-
mocracy they founded in civil government, the church must be
of the people, for the people and by the people.

Ecclesiastical history was an integral part of our town history
for nearly a hundred years, as during that time the minister was
paid by the whole town. The first settlers of lyyndeborough
were trained in the Puritan faith, and brought with them the
Bible and catechism. They observed the Sabbath and under-
stood the advantages of public worship. They were men and
women of fortitude, courage and perseverance, and they had
need of those qualities to effect a permanent settlement here. It
was a wilderness far from the villages of eastern Massachusetts
from which they came. Their life was one of unceasing toil in
overcoming the obstacles nature had placed. in the way of their
making homes. They had few books, no newspapers, and
houses were widely scattered and separated by dense forests.
They desired to have the Gospel preached to them in their new
home, and it was a part of their contract with the proprietors
that they should have a meeting-house and preaching within
five years after the settlement began. The proprietors were al.so
interCvSted to do their part, so far as possible. But it was so
much easier to vote at Salem than it was to carry out the
vote in Salem-Canada that the progress at first was slow and
discouraging.

*By kiud permission of Rev. Frank G. Clark we availed ourselves of that portion of
his excellent Historical Address which relates to the history of the old Congregational
church. This Address was delivered at the celebration of the One Hundred and Fiftietli
anniversary of the settlement of the town. We have copied it extensively, and it has
been of invaluable assistance in preparing this part of our Town History.

.1...

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 277

The church in those days represented much more to its mem-
bers than now. It was the tribunal before which the differences
of the neighborhood were brought for settlement. It kept a
v/atchful eye on the walk and conversation of the communit5^
It was at a meeting of the church that a charter for the town was
proposed, and at a later meeting it was voted to obtain a charter
and appoint a committee to get it.

The long sermons of the Sabbath meeting gave the only op-
portunity to have thoughts quickened and minds enlarged and
educated. The isolation of the people's lives made them turn to
the church for comfort.

The proprietors voted March 7, 1739, to place the meeting-
house as near the centre of the township as it could be, and a com-
mittee was appointed "to look out a convenient spot for the
same, and make report at the next meeting, and to clear a road
from the end of the road already cleared to the said meeting
house place." The place selected was on Putnam hill, east of
the south village, in the upper end of the field north of Edwin
H. Putnam's, partly on lot 41 and partly on lot 44, at the west-
ern ends of said lots. Benjamin Lynde donated twenty acres
and John Cram ten for the use of the meeting-house, which was
to be set on the road adjoining said lots. They voted to " build
and set up a good frame, thirty-five feet long, thirty feet wide,
and twenty feet stud, on or before May 10, 1740, and to under-
pin the same with good, handsome stones." But for various rea-
sons the frame was not raised until September 24, 1741. The
bills for raising the frame as approved by the proprietors indi-
cate that the rum and sugar used on the occasion cost more (six-
teen pounds and six shillings) than the bread, fish and cheese
(eleven pounds and five shillings) . It took liquor in those days
to hew timber and put up frames, and one would judge it was
not used sparingly. The frame stood uncovered for a long time.
The proprietors voted Aug. 23, 1743, to finish the meeting-
house : viz. , ' ' boarding sides and ends with feather-edged boards,
to board and shingle the roof and put on weather boards, and
finish the covings, to make and hang all the outside doors ; to
lay a double floor below ; to make six seats on each side ; to fix
pillars under the galleries ; to make a conveniency for the min-
ister to stand in to preach, and to glaze the said house with
glass seven inches one way and nine the other way, and to make
five windows."

There is evidence from the records that the house was

278 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

boarded and shingled, but there is nothing to show that it was
ever finished. No doubt it was used for a time, but no evi-
dence of it can be found in any records. Eleven years later,
Oct. ID, 1754, a committee was appointed to "view the meeting-
house and see in what manner it can be made suitable for public
worship," and five years later, in 1759, the proprietors voted an
appropriation ' ' for a new meeting-house to be erected for the
accommodation of the present inhabitants. ' ' After the strip was
taken from Salem-Canada and given to No. 2, or Wilton, the
first location of the meeting-house was no longer near the centre
of the town, and this explains the reason for building a new
house.

But they did not wait to have a meeting-house built before
they provided preaching, for the records of the proprietors for
Dec. 10, 1 74 1, read, "It being put to vote whether the word of
God should be preached in the town this winter, passed in the
affirmative, and six pounds were granted for that purpose."
Aug. 23, 1743, John Cram, Jacob Putnam and John Dale, Jr.
were appointed a committee to procure a minister to preach, and
three pounds, old tenor, were allowed for as many days as they
shall have preaching for the next six months ensuing.

The following letter was sent to Lyndeborough by the propri-
etors, Dec. 25, 1755, in answer to a petition for a minister: —

To the inhabitants of Lyndeboro':
The committee of the proprietors met together on your peti-
tion for having the preaching of the Gospel continue among
them, and considering your earnest request (with which we are
well pleased) and the advantage it may be to the spiritual and
temporal interests of the town, have resolved to allow such Gos-
pel minister as you shall get to preach for the three following
months $6.10 old tenor for every Sabbath after the twenty-fifth

of the instant month.

I am in the name

Your Assured Friend
Salem Dec 25, 1755 B. I,ynde.

The first meeting in I^yndeborough, in the interests of a
settled ministry of which there is any record, is suggestive of
the practical piety of those days. It was held at the house of
Ephraim Putnam, The record of the meeting is as follows :

1. Chose Jonathan Cram, moderator.

2. Chose Jacob Welmau, society " dark."

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 279

3. Voted " to keep a day of fasting and prayer for the bless-
ing of Almighty God in "chusing" a "minester" and settling
church order.

4. Voted "to send for Mr. Daniel Wilkins of Sowhegan
West and Mr. Daniel Emerson of Hollis, and Mr. Joseph
Emerson of Pepperill to carry on the work of the above said
day of fasting which was the 23rd day of September, 1756, and
to give their advice on the " waitty afair "of " setteling a min-
ister."

5. Chose Jonathan Cram, Jacob Wellman and Benjamin Cram
a " commity " to carry on the Business of this .society till the
' ' next munday ' ' after the above S'' day of fasting.

Jacob Wellman, Society Clerk.

The above s'' day of fasting was kept and two of the ministers
they sent for came and carried on the work of the day, and
advised them to " settel " a minister.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lyndeborough, held Sept.
27, 1756, it was voted " to choose a minister at that time."

"Mr. John Rand who is our present teacher" was unani-
mously chosen to settle among us in the work of the ministry
in the Congregational way of worship and church government.
But Mr. Rand was evidently absent from town at the time, for
at a meeting held June 6, 1757, it is recorded "that Mr. John
Rand being gone from us a long time ; voted not to wait any
longer for Mr. John Rand's return." Without being in " Law-
full " means to hear from him, and if he is not " lyikely " to
come to preach the Gospel to us any more, to try for another
man to preach the Gospel to us.

Sept. 12, 1757, it was voted " that the society will pay what
the proprietors fall short of nine pounds silver old tenor for
each Sabbath that Mr. Nathan Holt shall stay and preach the
Gospel to us from the date hereof."

Mr. Holt probably supplied the church until the following
December. At an adjourned meeting of the society, held Oct.
31, 1757, it is recorded that " Mr. John Rand emplo}^ six weeks
every year in the service of the ' Neighboring ' towns which are
destitute of Pastors." This was a permission. It was also
voted "to appoint John Johnson, Jonathan Cram, Ephraim
Putnam, Moses Stiles and Ephraim Powers a committee to con-
sult with Mr. Rand with respect to a council for his ordination."

280 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

On the fifth of December, 1757, a church was organized, Rev.
Mr. Clark says, with eight male members and perhaps twenty
or more in all. He also says that " this was the seventh church
organized in the county and that there was no church on the
north and west nearer than Keene and the nearest on the south
and west were Amherst, Nashua and Hollis." This church or-
ganized that December day was a controlling influence in the
development of the town for nearly a hundred years.

Dec. 7, or two days after the organization of the church, Mr.
John Rand was ordained, and the following is the record of the
event.

' ' On the seventh day of the same month Mr. John Rand was
ordained a ' pasture ' of this church by Mr. Hemingway of
North Town, Mr. Emerson of Holis Mr. Meril of Nottingham
and Mr. Wilkins of Souhegan west and their delegates and the
church under the care of Mr. Joseph Emerson in peperil." Mr.
Rand was to receive forty pounds from the proprietors as a
settlement, payable in three instalments, and a yearly salary of
forty pounds, and the society was to furnish him with a certain
amount of wood. In addition to this he was to have one shil-
ling for each soul in town, the number of shillings increas-
ing with the increase in population. This would make his
salary about $400, probably.

Mr. Rand lived for a time on what is now called the Boutwell
place. It would be hard to say at this time whether this first
minister of the church in I^yndeborough had a successful pas-
torate or not. The records would seem to show that there were
misunderstandings between pastor and people. Perhaps his
ideas were a little in advance of the times. Rev. Mr. Clark
says of him that ' ' he was said to have been Arminian in doc-
trine but inclined to the Episcopal form of worship. He occa-
sionally ministered to a few persons of the latter denomination
then resident in Goffstown and Bedford but was never again
settled in the ministry." He was dismissed from the church in
lyyndeborough April 8, 1762. For further record of Rev. John
Rand, see Genealogies.

The first record of the choice of tything-men was on March
5. i759> when Ephraim Powers and Moses Stiles were chosen.

At a meeting of the society, held Sept. 6, 1759, it was put
to vote by the moderator whether the society would accept of
the proprietors' vote of money at their last meeting for the

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 281

building of a meeting-house in the township of Lyndeborough
which "passed in the negative." Rev. Frank G. Clark com-
ments on this vote as follows: " The proprietors voted to appro-
priate ;^i3-8s-6d for glass and nails for this house, but the aid
was declined by the people, probably on account of the small
sum offered. Tradition says the people were .so much dis-
pleased with Benjamin L,ynde, Jr. Esq., that they thought seri-
ously of changing the name of the town, showing that they had
grit as well as grace." '\

In March, 1758, Melchizedek Boffee and Ephraim Powers
were chosen a committee " to take care and see that there is no
disorder on the Sabbath day for the year ensuing." Probably
they were meant to be tything-men.

The first record in regard to the meeting-house above men-
tioned, is dated Oct. 31, 1757, and is as follows: "Also voted
that the meeting-house shall be set on the road that goes from
y* Beaver pond bridge to Jonathan Cram Jun. on a place called
the Rockey Hill not further from a place called the Rocky ledge
on the road to the lower corner of the town so called than the
said bridge is." This would seem to be the road to Johnsons'
Corner.

Dec. 7, 1758, the society bound themselves to build a meet-
ing-house on the Rev. John Rand's lot, lying east of Jonathan
Cram Jun. not exceeding forty rods from the southwest corner
of s*^ lot. "Jonathan Cram, Benjamin Cram, and John John-
son were chosen a committee to see that the aforesaid meeting-
house is built, and to receive the particular sums which the
signers for the said house shall bind themselves to pay," and
this committee was instructed " to go on and build the house the
first year from the date hereof, the galleries and ceiling over-
head excepted."

This second meeting-house was built somewhere in the field
east of the Button house, near the intersection of the roads, or
north of that on the Boutwell place. The forty-rod |limit would
cover either location. We can find no record of the dimensions
or general plan of this meeting-house. It was probably finished
within the year named. Rev. Mr. Clark says, " it was occupied
only about ten 3^ears and tradition says it was then moved
nearer the centre, used as a dwelling-house and afterward
burned."

March i, 1762, at a meeting of the society it was "voted to
ask for an incorporation of this township."

282 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

March 5, 1764, at a meeting of the inhabitants of Lyndebor-
ough, " voted to choose a committee to procure a charter of this
township now called Lyndeborough " ; "voted John Stephen-
son a committee to procure a charter."

For five years after the dismissal of Rev. John Rand the
church was without a settled pastor. The pulpit was supplied
by Rev. John Wyeth of Cambridge, and a call was extended to
William Clark and to the Rev. Antipas Steward, but both de-
clined the invitation.

After the incorporation of the town there seems to have been
some question as to whether the proprietors would continue to
assist in supporting the minister, and June 6, 1764, at a meeting
of the inhabitants of the town, Jonathan Cram was chosen a
committee to ' ' treat with the proprietors of this township to see
if they will continue to allow us money, whereby we may be en-
abled to hire preaching."

It was about this time (1764) that there began to be dissatis-
faction with the location of the meeting-house. Sept., 1764,
this article was inserted in the warrant for a town meeting :
' ' To see if the town will hold their meetings for public worship
on the Sabbath so as to better accommodate the south corner of
the town or otherways ease them of paying any charges toward
the minister's board." The town voted to dismiss the article
for the present. This was the beginning of a long controvers}^
over the location of the proposed new meeting-house. The
southeast corner of the town was granted preaching a quarter
part of the time at Jacob Cram's house, known as the Har-
wood place, where A. A. Melendy now lives. Those living
north of the mountain, were, of course, very desirous of having
the meeting-house as near as possible. After a large section of
the town had been set off to form No. 2, or Wilton, it was con-
tended by the inhabitants in the north part of the town that the
house was not then in the centre of the township, and that if the
town should build a new house it ought to be set further north.
It was voted Dec. 12, 1765, to build a meeting-house on lot No.
69, said house to be fifty feet long and thirty feet wide and
eighteen feet stud. This would be not far from where George
E. Spalding now lives.

The inhabitants of Johnson's Corner and Bevin's Corner were
not satisfied with this, and seventeen men signed a protest as
follows : " that we do not yield or consent unto it for the reasons
that followeth viz. we think the dimentions of the house are not

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 283

properly given, but if they ware we are not able to defray the
charges, besides we are of the opinion that the place is very in-
commodious for setting a meeting-house, and that we are not
able to settle and support a minister." The next year, July 21,
1766, it was "voted in order that the inhabitants of the most
eastwardly part of this town cordially join with the other inhabi-
tants of said town in settling the Gospel that the meeting-house
be built about half way between where the meeting-house is
fixed by the proprietors, and where the meeting-house now
stands, that is before the door of Mr. Gould's house, where a
heap of stones is this instant laid by the inhabitants of this
town."

Rev. Frank G. Clark says, "The town-meeting was ad-
journed long enough to erect this monument of their com-
promise." But it is evident that all did not accept the compro-
mise, for article 2 of a warrant for a meeting of the inhabitants
of the town, March 5, 1768, reads as follows: "To see if the
town will hear the petition of Josiah Button and others of the in-
habitants of the westerly part of the town respecting setting the
meeting-house so as to better accommodate them, than where
the town has agreed to set it." The result of this meeting was
the agreement to ' ' leave it to a mutuil committee ' ' chosen be-
tween the petitioning party and the town to "fix the meeting-
house." The tnembers of this committee were Col. John Goff
of Bedford, Col. Samuel Barr of Londonderry and Col. John
Hale of Hollis. The church militant was evidently well
represented by this committee. They decided that the spot last
chosen by the town, where the " monumint " of rocks was
erected, was the most suitable place, and here the meeting-
house was built. It stood where the present town house now
stands. Commenced in 1769, finished in 1772, it was used by
the church and the town for sixty-five years and by the town for
eight years more. Its dimensions were fifty feet long by forty
feet wide and twenty-two feet stud.

The record of the disposal of the pews is as follows : March
14, 1769, " Voted that the pews shall be laid out and prized by
a committee and that the highest ' payor of rates ' shall have
the refusal of the highest pew 'at the price,' and if it is not
agreeable to him to take it at the price, the next highest payor
shall have the same liberty, and that the money paid for the
several pews shall be laid out in finishing the meeting-house."

The following description of this old church is from the pen

284 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

of the late David C. Grant : "It had three grand entrances with
double doors surmounted by heavy caps, like a roof uith heavy
cornices. It stood facing the south after the custom of the
times, so as to be square with the sun at noon. The south door
was covered by a porch about twelve by eighteen feet, with
double flight of stairs leading to the galleries. This porch, like
the house had three doors. The interior had a gallery on three
sides. The singers were located in front of the pulpit. There
were two or three rows of seats extending around the gallery,
with free seats for men and boys on one side, and women and
girls on the other, and many a meaning look and tender glance
were exchanged in that holy place. Back of these free seats
was a row of pews of the sheep pen pattern of those times, with
seats around the sides. In the body of the church was one
broad isle leading from the south entrance to the pulpit, and
also a narrower one extending around the house, leaving a row
of pews between it and the wall, raised about eight inches above
the rest of the pews on the ground floor. The central part of the
house had square pews with seats all around, so that the chil-
dren and servants sat with their backs to the minister. All the
pews were surmounted with a railing ten or fifteen inches above
the panel work, sustained by spindles like the rounds of a mod-
ern chair. The front seats were hung, not on golden hinges,
and were usually turned up during prayer, when all the congre-
gation stood. With the Amen down came the seats with an al-
most deafening roar, like that of the firing of the old slam-bang
infantry in the sham fight of muster. The pulpit was built high
upon the centre of the north side with nice panel work painted
to represent mahogany veneer. Pulpits in those days were built
for such fiery speakers as John Knox, of whom it is said, ' er he
hade done with his sermone was sae active and vigorous, that he
was like to ding the pulpit in blades and flie out of it.' Be-
neath the pulpit in front was the deacon's seat, partially hidden
by a wooden screen, to which the communion table leaf was at-
tached, which could be let down when not in use. Over the
minister's head was the indispensable sounding-board, nearly
round and several feet in diameter, looking like an inverted top ;
and children used to wonder what would become of the minis-
ter if it should fall upon his head."

Some time subsequent to 1845 this church edifice was sold to
Jacob Butler, who tore it down and built a barn with its
timbers.

While the church and town were settling the question of when
and where to build a new meeting-house, they were also wrest-
ling with the problem of getting a new minister to come and set-
tle among them. The Rev. Antipas Steward had been given a
call but had declined, and the pulpit was being supplied from
time to time.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 285

Jan. 20, 1767, the people of the town voted to give Mr. Sewall
Goodridge a call to settle with them ' ' in the work of the minis-
try of the congregational constitution." He declined this call
and also a second, but accepted the third call with the proviso
that he should be allowed to chose the two hundred acres which
were to be given him as an inducement.

Letter of acceptance of Rev. Sewall Goodridge : —

To the Church and People of the town of Lyndeboro, greeting :

My Brethren and Friends

Dearly beloved in the Lord,

Having taken upon myself to preach the
Gospel of Christ in the world, and in the course of Providence,
was called to preach the word amongst you, my brethren in this
town ffer some considerable time, during which time you saw
fit to give me a legal invitation to settle with you in the work of
the ministry, and after due consideration I was led to repeatedly
decline the acceptation of your proposals. Nevertheless endeav-
oring to surmount all difficulties that lay in the way, upon as-
surance that your ardent and sincere desire that I should yet
undertake the work of a gospel minister among you, I have in
some measure affected the same, and thereupon gave you en-
couragement, so far as that if you saw fit you might renew the
invitation, which I perceive you have done by a scroll delivered
me by your committee, elected for that purpose, and having
considered of the same, with all the circumstances on the one
hand and on the other, With respect to your offer I accept
them as free and generous, though small, yet according to your
ability. But as the Proprietors have not discovered that gener-
osity which the Proprietors in other places have and commonly
do in like case, neither is the settlement itself agreeable or suf-
ficient to establish a Gospel minister in the character and in the
comfortable circumstances in which such an one ought to live
and be supported. I have thought fit to return you a condi-
tional answer viz. that if the proprietors over and above the
land already voted as an encouragement in the settlement, with
the privilege of choosing the same, will advance as a farther
encouragement in the settlement, a sum in money equal to what
they now annually advance for supplying the pulpit, upon this
consideration I accept of your and their proposals to settle with
you in the work of the ministry. At the same time not without
a sense of my own inability insufficiency and unworthiness.
Begging your prayers for me whenever you approach the foot-
stool of divine grace ; That God of his infinite mercy would be
with me at all times ; That his grace might dwell within my
heart ; That his spirit may lead and guide me in all truth, even
as it is in Jesus Christ, which is according to Godliness ; That
his spirit may descend into ni}' heart even as a spirit of truth
and purity, integrity and uprightness ; That I may be enabled

286 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

to see more and more of the excellency and amiableness of that
religion which I myself profess, and which I shall or may from
time to time communicate to others; That I maybe made faith-
ful and abundantly successfull to your souls and to the souls of
all such as shall hear me ; That I may be enabled to preach
Christ and Him crucified, and rightly and sincerely divide the
truths of the Holy scriptures, and administer the oricles of God
unto you in the truth and purity of the same ; That I may never
be suffered to daub with untempered mortar, but that I may
season with the true salt of the Holy Ghost. Finally that I may
truly and sincerely administer the sacraments of the new testa-
ment baptism and the L^ord's supper, that I may be supported
under every temptation, carried through all the difficulties and
dangers of this life in the fear of God blameless, That I may be
a blessing to the church of Christ and people in this place ;
That the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon us, and we
be mutual blessings to each other, while here and hereafter ;
That we may be presented before Christ without spot or wrinkle
and join the Church triumphant on high in sounding forth the
praises of Almighty God and our Savior Jesus Christ forever
and ever Amen. S. Goodridge.

Jan I, 1768

Mr. Goodridge was ordained Sept. 7, 1768. He had been
preaching in the town for some time previous. The council of
ordination consisted of Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Ivunenburg, Mass,
Mr. Goodridge's former pastor. Rev. John Payson of Fitchburg,
Mass., Rev. Nathaniel Merrill of Hudson, Rev. Daniel Wilkins
of Amherst, Rev. Daniel Emerson of Hollis, Rev. Joseph
Emerson of Pepperell, Rev. Stephen Farrar of New Ipswich,
Rev. Jonathan I^ivermore of Wilton and the Rev. Joseph Kid-
der of Nashua.

Rev. Mr. Clark in his Historical Address says of Mr. Good-
ridge, "He was a liberty loving man, and when the coming
storms of the Revolution began to lower, and the oppression of
the mother country and the rights of men began to be dis-
cussed all over the land, he and his people were not ignorant of
these things, and both minister and people warmly espoused the
cause of the colonies. In the second year of his pastorate,
twenty-four united with the church, and there were additions
almost every year for twenty years."

The arduous duties of his parish impaired the health of Mr.
Goodridge and he resigned in 1806, but the town continued him
in office and voted him an annuity of one hundred dollars while
he lived. For a biographical sketch of Rev. Sewall Goodridge
and the terms of his settlement see Genealogies.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 287

It may be well at this point to insert a list of the members of
the church. As no record of some of these families can now
be obtained, it will be valuable for reference and is of historical
interest. The list in the old church record book is not dated,
but after careful comparison of the dates of baptism, and ad-
mission, we think it fairly correct of those who were admitted
to the church previous to 1780.

Dea. Ephraim Putnam and Sarah his wife.

Dea. Benjamin Cram and Elizabeth his wife.

Jonathan Cram, Jr. and Mary his wife.

John Johnson and Mary.

Jacob Wellman and Jane his wife.

Adam Johnson and Abigail his wife.

James Johnson and Hannah his wife.

William Carson and Isabella his wife.

John Carkin and Elizabeth his wife.

Moses Stiles and Phebe his wife,

David Cram and Mary his wife.

David Stephenson and Elizabeth his wife.

John Stephenson and Abigail his wife.

Melchizedek Boffee and Sarah his wife.

Ephraim Powers and Lucy his wife.

John Kidder and Triphena his wife.

Andrew Fuller and Mary his wife.

Asahel Stiles and Sarah his wife.

Edward Spaulding and Elizabeth his wife.

Stephen Spaulding and Martha his wife.

Levi Spaulding and Anna his wife.

Jonas Kidder and Huldah his wife.

Joshua Hadley and Mary his wife.

William Barron and Olive his wife.

David Badger and Rachel his wife.

Robert Badger and Hannah his wife.

Eleazer Woodward and Hannah his wife.

John Gould.

James Boutwell and Mary his wife.

Jacob Wellman, Jun. and Hannah his wife.

Joseph Wilkins, Jun. and Phebe his wife.

Nathan Person and Annie his wife.

Widow Eunice Carleton.

Widow Bevins.

Widow Eunice Wilkins.

Widow Carson.

Beulah Holt wife of William Holt.

Mehitable Russell wife of Peter Russell.

Sarah Dutton wife of Benj. Duttou.

Mary Stiles.

Silena Gould.

Abigail Stephenson.

288 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Ephraiin Putnam and Lucy his wife.

Ephraim Putnam 3rd and Rachel his wife.

Jonathan Chamberlain, Jr. and Margaret his wife.

George Pearson and Elizabeth his wife.

Benjamin Cram, Jr. and Olive his wife.

John Row and Mary his wife.

Osgood Carleton and Lydia his wife.

Timothy Carleton and Rachel his wife. *

Samuel Hutchinson and Bethy his wife.

Joel Manwell and Phebe his wife.

Thomas Boffee and Sarah his wife.

F'rancis Epes and Mary his wife.

Samuel Houston and Rachel his wife.

Nathan Fisher.

Jonathan Chamberlain and Elizabeth his wife.

Benjamin Jones and Jemima his wife.
Thomas Person. Jonathan Pearsons, Jr.

Aaron Lewis. John Boffee and wife.

Nathaniel Bachelder. Amos Pearson and wife.

Peter Clark. Daniel Cram and wife.

James Punchard. Israel Day and wife.

Nathan Cram and Rachel his wife. Robert Day and wife.
John Stiles and wife. William Blunt and wife.

John Clark and wife. Jonathan Holt and wife.

John Smith, Jr. and wife. Ephraim Kidder and wife.

Phillip Fletcher and wife. . John Kidder, Jr. and wife.

Uriah Cram and wife. John Hutchinson.

Daniel Herrick and wife. Benj. Lewis and wife.

Joseph Bachelder and wife. Stephen Farnum and wife.

Ephraim Abbott and wife. John Hartshorn and wife.

Jonathan Whittemore and wife. Thomas Hutchinson and wife.

Jotham Blanchard and wife. Hannah Haggett.

James Persons and wife. Huldah Cram.

Solomon Cram. John Cram, Jr. and wife.

Jonathan Pearsons and wife.

In reading the old records of the church in Lyndeborough one
is impressed with the amount of space taken up in recording the
complaints, the dissensions, the church trials of its members.
To the church in those days, or to the pastor, were brought the
misunderstandings among the people of the town for settlement,
or the church members for discipline. Rev. Mr. Clark in his
Historical Address has this to say on the subject : "If the his-
torian should estimate a church from the standpoint of its rec-
ords simply, he would gain a very wrong impression of its charac-
ter and work, for a record is made of all dissensions and difficul-
ties, but nothing is said of the years of prosperity. The church in
lyyudeborough was not alone in having occasions for discipline.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 289

The men of those times had strong will power. They had to
contend with almost insurmountable difl&culties in establishing
homes 'for themselves. The times developed a rugged inde-
pendence and individuality of character, and it was not strange
that some sparks of fire should fly when such flint and steel
came in contact. But the spirit of their Master had a wonder-
ful power over their lives, and when they found themselves wax-
ing warm in debate, or troubled by each other's faults, they
sought advice of neighboring churches, and were prompt to
make suitable confession if rebuked by their councillor."

The following extracts from the records of the church will
doubtless be of interest to many. There is an undeniable charm
in their quaintness, at all events.

April ID, 1769, "After debate voted and chose Andrew Ful-
ler, Osgood Carleton, and William Barron to take care and set
the Psalm in lyyndeborough."

May 3, 1770, it was " Voted that whereas the diflSculty that
now labors in the chh. and congregation is such that it is
thought by many nescessary that the heads of families have a
voice with the chh. in the business of the day, provided they
submit to the order of the chh : The case put and passed in the
afiirmative."

May 2, 1 77 1, the society " voted that there be provided at the
expense of the church one ' Flaggon ' two platters and four
cups, and a new table cloth for the service of the table of the
Lord, and that there be one shilling Lawful raised upon the
heads of every family that are members of the church for the
above purpose."

Before this vote was carried into effect, however, David Lewis
and others, and John Gould presented the church with the
larger part of a communion service, and in 1774 Benjamin
Lynde presented the remainder.

April 3, 1778, it is recorded " to see if the chh. will consult
anything about the singing in the house of God on Lords day,
as there are several persons tineasy about the same."

As a result of this consultation Daniel Cram was chosen as-
sistant chorister ; and it may be added that that uneasy feeling
has pervaded the church more or less to this present day.

Sept. 9, 1778, "Voted and chose Mr. Francis Epes, Dea.
David Badger, Capt. Jacob Welhnan, Capt. Peter Clark, Capt.
William Barron, Andrew Fuller, Esq., Mr. Nathan Person and
Capt. John Stephenson a committee to consider, review, and make

290 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

a new Draught of the Chh. Covenant, if they see proper and lay
the same before the Chh."

This committee attended to its duties and presented a new
draught of the covenant, which was accepted by the church.

Aug., 1779, " Agreed by a great majority of the church that
every member stand or sit, as they may think it convenient at
time of singing in Public Devotion in Lords day."

Rev. Mr. Goodrich himself did not escape trouble in the
church. At a meeting of the church held Jan., 1785, one of the
members presented charges against him, much to the surprise (it
is recorded) of every one present. These charges were :

First. " I apprehend I can point out some particular times
when liquor or strong drink has a different and ' unexpected
effect ' with Rev. Mr. Sewall Goodridge to me and others as
well as Mr. Goodridge himself according to his acknowledge-
ment to the chh on the fourth of Nov. last."

Seco7id. "I apprehend y*" Mr. Sewall Goodridge is charge-
able with disregarding y*^ truth in y'' matter of moving y*^ fence
belonging to y*" heirs of Dea David Badger Dec^."

Third. " I apprehend the pastor chargeable with unfaithful-
ness as to his word and promises in dealing with others. ' '

At the adjourned meeting of the church Mr. Goodridge an-
swered the complaint as follows : —

Art. I. "Though I have never been drunk with strong
liquor yet I have perceived it to have at particular times a differ-
ent effect from what I expected, but cannot allow by any means,
I am become a slave to it."

2^. "I know not even the color of a disregard for truth,
though there was a contradiction."

3"^. "I have never knowingly made a promise but I have
either fulfilled or endeavored to fulfill it unless Providence shut
the door by disappointment."

The church dismissed the complaint, and the complainant ad-
mitted ' ' that matters did not appear to him in such an aggravat-
ed light as when he exhibited the complaint," at the same time
expressing the most cordial affection and satisfaction.

Again we quote from Mr. Clark's address ; " The highest out-
ward respect was paid to the Christian ministry in those days.
When the pastor approached the church on the Sabbath the
people parted to the right and left, while the minister and his
wife passed between, both parties politely exchanging civilities.
When the services closed in church not an individual left his

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 291

pew until the minister left the pulpit and passed down the
aisle."

For two or three years the church was without a settled min-
ister, and on Aug. i, 1811, a call was extended to the Rev.
Nathaniel Merrill. His favorable answer is dated Sept. 22,
181 1. Before this, however, the church extended a call to Mr.
Jesse Fisher of Princeton, but there is no further record. They
also invited Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby of Hebron to settle with
them, but the council refused to settle him because of unsound-
ness in theology, and this council was the cause of much trouble
to the church and of some bittterness among a few of its mem-
bers. They tried to get Abraham Randall of Stow, Mass., but
he wanted to be furnished twelve cords of good, hard, dry wood
yearly. This condition the town would not accept.

Rev. Mr. Merrill was ordained Oct. 30, 181 1, and the
churches and pastors invited to assist were Rev. Elijah Parish,
D. D., Byfield, Mass.; Rev. Isaac Braman of Rowley, Mass.;
Rev. James W. Woodward of Norwich, Vt.; Rev. Jeremiah
Barnard of Amherst ; Rev. Ebenezer Hill of Mason ; Rev.
Thomas Beede of Wilton, and Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford of
New Boston.

It is somewhat difficult to estimate the value of the services
of Mr. Merrill to the church and to the town at this late day.
Almost a centur^^ has passed since his pastorate began. Tra-
ditions tell and the records show that his long pastorate was an
eminently successful one. The conditions of life in his parish
were very different from what they were when the Rev. Sewall
Goodridge was ordained. Sixty or more years had wrought
great changes in the community. The vexatious question of
the location of the meeting-house had been long settled, and the
people had a church home suitable for their needs. The rude
houses of the early times had been replaced by comfortable
framed buildings. He had a united church to welcome his
coming and he certainly justified their choice by heartily enter-
ing into the work of building up the church ; and by the gentle
and kind way of performing the duties of a country minister,
he soon endeared himself to the townspeople.

Rev. Mr. Clark says of him : " The new minister was a man
of ardent temperament and tender sensibilities, and soon won
the affections of his people. Feeling the power of the Gospel
himself he knew well how to reach the mind and heart, and his
ministry was long and very successful. Though many years

292 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

have now elapsed he has not ceased to be lovingly remembered.
He was a genuine son of consolation, and his ministerial
brethren used to speak of him as the ' Beloved Merrill,' and he
was often called by them to assist in revival work, for which he
had peculiar qualifications."

During Mr. Merrill's pastorate a religious association was or-
ganized, and twenty-four persons signed its constitution which
is said to be almost identical with that of the present Christian
Endeavor Society. This was in 1823. From the meetings of
this association, together with the work of the pastor, came
the greatest revival the church in Lyndeborough ever expe-
rienced. One hundred and seven united with the church at
this time. One hundred and ninety-seven united with the
church during the first twelve years of his ministry, and one
hundred and fourteen more before he dissolved his connection
with the church in Lyndeborough, making four hundred and
eighteen in all. As Rev. Mr. Clark says, " A grand record for
pastor and people." Mr. Merrill lived where E. K. Warren
now lives, this place having been given to the town for a parson-
age by Benjamin Lynde, Jr. It is best known now as the
Bixby place. The following is a list of the members of the
church just previous to Mr. Merrill's pastorate (1807). It will
be noticed that there are mau}^ widows of members in the first
list, and that only a small proportion of the old members re-
main. But as this list contains the names of many families
now extinct in town, we thought best to insert it :

Rev. Sewall Goodridge and wife. Joel Manwell and wife.

Dea. Peter Clark and wife. Benjamin Jones and wife.

Dea. Samuel Houston and wife. James Punchard.

Dea. Aaron Lewis and wife. John Clark and wife.

Widow Carkin. Uriah Cram and wife.

David Cram and wife. Widow Eleanor Whittemore.

Widow John Stephenson, Jotham Blanchard and wife.

Andrew Fuller and wife. John Boffee and wife.

Jonas Kidder and wife. Ephraim Kidder and wife.

Widow Barron. Livy wife of Samuel Steward.

Widow Rachel Badger. Widow Hartshorn.

Widow Hannah Badger. Thomas Hutchinson and wife.

Eleazer Woodward and wife. Huldah Cram wife of John Cram.

Widow Mary Boutwell. Oliver Whiting and wife.

Jacob Wellman. William Clark and wife.

Widow L/Ucy Putnam. Johnathan Putnam and wife.

Ephraim Putnam and wife. John Woodward and wife.

Jonathan Chamberlain and wife. Charles Whitmarsh and wife.

Benjamin Cram, Jr. and wife. The wife of Edward Ballard.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS

293

Ephraim Putnam, Jr. and wife.
Prudence Carkin.
Wife of Andrew Smith.
Aaron Carkin and wife.
Eleazer Woodward, Jr. and wife.
John Thompson and wife.
Benjamin Holt and wife.
Aaron Putnam and wife.
John Wellman.
Jacob Dascomb and wife.

Israel Woodward and wife.
Benjamin Goodridge and wife.
Widow Sarah Ordway.
John Haggett and wife.
Nehemiah Boutwell and wife.
Jacob Richardson and wife.
The wife of David Putnam.
Widow Sarah Gardner.
Widow Mary Batten.
Widow Sarah Button.

Admitted between 1807 and 18 14 inclusive

John Clark 2d and wife.
William Clark, Jr. and wife.
Widow Nancy Elliott.
David Farrington and wife.
David Woodward and wife,
John Houston and wife.
Wife of Osgood Hutchinson.
William Jones and wife.
James Whittemore and wife.
Eben Hutchinson and wife.
Israel H. Goodridge and wife
Aaron Whittemore.
Dudley Carleton.
Jonathan Clark.
Wife of Thomas Board man.
Hannah Cram.
Jane Smith.
Hannah Epes.
Daniel Epes.
Charles Whitmarsh.
William Hutchinson.
Jacob Manning.
William Holley and wife.
Jonathan Butler and wife.
Wife of Henry Cram.
Wife of Moses White.
Wife of Joseph Epes.
Widow Polly Allen.
Wife of John Proctor.
Wife of Daniel Woodward

Wife of Reuben Button.

Permelia Lewis.

Phebe Hutchinson.

Hannah Hutchinson.

Polly Whitmarsh.

Asa Manning and wife.

Widow Miriam Butterfield.

Hannah Carleton.

Trephina Butler,

Joshua Sargent.

Ephraim P. Russell.

Widow Susanna Dutton.

Wife of Jotham Hildreth.

Anna Chamberlain.

Bathsheba Holt.

Aaron Woodward and wife.

Sally Ordway.

Wife of Daniel Putnam.

Wife of David Woodbury.

Wife of Amaziah Blanchard.

Eli Curtis and wife.

Wife of Ephraim Kidder.

Fanny Ordway.

Ruth Day.

Warren Damon.

Wife of John Sargent.

Olive Chamberlain.

Hannah Woodward.

Hannah P. Woodward.

Wife of Joseph Carter.
Kver since the town was organized the expense of building
meeting-houses and supporting the minister had been a town
charge. In an act passed in 1792 the legislature provided that
' ' the inhabitants of each town in this state qualified to vote as
aforesaid, at any meeting duly warned and holden in such town,
may agreeably to the constitution grant and vote such sums of
money as they shall judge nescessary for the settlement mainte-

294 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

nance and support of the ministry, schools, meeting-house
schoolhouses, &c."

But this law seemed to some to be unjust, and an agitation
was started by persons of differing religious beliefs or of no re-
ligious belief, to have this rule modified. This agitation re-
sulted, in 1819, in the passing of what was called the " Toler-
ation Act " by the legislature, which greatly modified existing
law. The last clause of this act was as follows : ' ' Provided
that no person shall be liable to taxation for the purpose of ful-
filling any contract between any town and settled minister who
shall prior to such assessment file with the clerk of the town
where he may reside a certificate declaring that he is not of the
religious persuasion or opinion of the minister settled in such
town." This act "provided that each religious sect or denom-
ination of Christians might form societies, and having done so,
establish by laws, and have all the corporate powers which may
be nescessary to raise and assess money by taxes upon the polls
and ratable estates of its members."

Some of the townspeople began to chafe under the necessity
of paying a tax for the support of something in which they took
no interest or to which they were openly or covertly opposed,
and notifications began to be sent to the town authorities.
Some of them read as follows : —

" To the Selectmen of Lyndeborough. This may certify that
I differ in religious opinion from Rev. Nathaniel Merrill and ob-
ject to 3'ou or your successors in ofiice hereafter taxing my poll
or estate toward the support of preaching in this town."

" Sir : For particular reasons I wish not to be taxed to Mr.
Merrill again until I think different."

"Gentlemen: This may certify that I differ from Rev.
Nathaniel Merrill's religion and therefore refuse to pay him any
minister tax and shall not."

Some time later church and state became separate institutions
in lyyndeborough. On account of these changes in ministerial
support Mr. Merrill resigned, and was dismissed July 28, 1835.

Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, son of Thomas and Sarah (Friend) Merrill was
born in that part of Rowley now called Georgetown, Mass., Dec. 4, 17S2.
He married, Jan. 22, 1812, Betsey Carpenter, of Norwich, Vt. After leav-
ing Lyndeborough he was settled in Wolcott, N. Y., in September, 1835.
He died at Georgetown, Mass., July 4, 1839. He prepared for college at
Dummer Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1809.
Several of his children were born in Lyndeborough, but we have no rec-
ord of their births. The dates of their baptism are as follows: Almon

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 295

Carpenter, baptised Jan. 3, 1813 ; James Hervey, baptised Nov. 27, 1814;
Sarah, baptised May 27, 1819.

It was during Mr. Merrill's pastorate that the celebrated
' ' scarecrow ' ' case brought such trouble and discord into the
church.

It would seem that Mr. Joseph Kidder, who lived where Dea.
N. T. Mclntire now lives, went after his cows one Sunday after-
noon and saw the crows pulling his corn. He went over into his
field and, cutting a stake, hung his coat upon it, as a makeshift
until he could put up something more suitable. Old Grannie
McMaster, who lived where Indiana Herrick now lives, saw him
commit the crime and reported it to Mr. Eleazer Woodward.
Now it is whispered that Grannie McMaster herself was out
after ovenwood, but this is merely tradition. Mr. Woodward
felt called upon to bring the matter before the church and have
Mr. Kidder disciplined. His charges were five in number.
Charge No. 3 reads: " That he had as he thought trespassed
upon the rest of the Lords day by setting up or erecting objects
in his cornfield on that day to prevent y'' crows from injuring it.
Articles 4 and 5 were charges ' ' that Mr. Kidder travelled much
on the Ivords day."

"That he set out on a journey to the northern part of the
state on the lyords day."

Mr. Kidder promptly reported a countercharge that Mr.
Woodward " disregarded the truth," and that he "put up some
fence between his field and pasture on the Sabbath."

This quarrel led to much trouble for the church. Mr. Wood-
ward confessed that he put up the fence and asked forgiveness,
but would by no means own that ' ' he had disregarded the
truth." Mr. Kidder was contumacious, and many church
meetings and finally a council of neighboring churches were
needed to settle it. It may be said that many of the members
of the church saw the folly of investigating and bringing before
the church charges so trivial, and entered a protest against their
consideration. This trouble also led to the appointing of a com-
mittee — a sort of ecclesiastical grand jury — before which all
complaints must be made, the committee to determine if they
should be brought before the church.

It was while Mr. Merrill was pa.stor, also, that the question of
warming the church was decided. All the.se previous years the
people had worshipped in a church without any fire to temper
the cold of winter. It is one of the most amazing facts in the

296 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

history of our forefathers. Any one who has lived through a New
England winter must be impressed by the amount of grit or grace
it took for the congregation to sit quietly, on a zero day, and listen
to two long sermons, with the temperature of the room raised
only by the heat of their own bodies. Some were tired of it, and
asked permission to set up stoves. It may be said, however,
that the women used to carry into church a tin foot stove filled
with coals and these were refilled at some of the neighboring
houses, to last through the afternoon service ; but the men
scorned such devices. Jan. 2, 1822, the town granted certain
individuals the right to set up stoves in the meeting-house, and,
strange as it may seem, there was some opposition and consider-
able excited discussion of the question. One old Revolutionary
hero is reported as saying, " I have attended church these fifty
years ; I have fought the British seven years ; I have slept in a
tent on the frozen ground with nothing but a blanket to cover
me ; I have trod the snow path with bleeding feet nearly naked,
and if Mr. Merrill wants a fire let him go to the place where
they keep one all the year round."

It would seem from the records that for a few years the
church depended upon voluntary subscriptions to support the
ministry, but just what years is not clear. Nov. i, 1839, this
resolution was placed on record, " Resolved that this church
feels and ever has felt the importance of supporting a preached
Gospel in the centre of the town, that it is the duty of all its
members to contribute for this object according to the ability
which God has given them. Whereas the duty of raising funds
devolves upon the Society with which the church is connected,
and whereas all the members of the church are not members of
the society, therefore it is expedient to use means to have all
the members of this church who do or may reside in town bear
an equal share of the expense. Voted that this church request
the society to instruct the wardens of the same, that when a tax
is laid upon the members of the society it be laid upon all the
members of the church who may reside in town in equal pro-
portion with those of the society." This shows that previously
to that date, they were raising money by taxation. This
method evidently proved very unsatisfactory. The records are
full of complaints against' those who for various reasons did not
pay, and of the reasons they gave for not paying. The system
was causing endless trouble and vexation, so that in 1846,
March 3, they returned to the plan of voluntary subscriptions,

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 297

and Daniel Woodward, Jr., and Sherebiah Manning were
chosen a committee to go through the town and solicit funds.
But this was not for a long time and seems to have proved a
failure, for the next year, 1847, they again resorted to taxation
of the church and society members, and this plan was con-
tinued for some years. Some of the members were negligent
about paying these taxes ;"some on the plea of not receiving an
income from the property taxed ; some entered the plea of
poverty and it finally became necessary to call a council to
advise how these delinquents should be dealt with. In the
case of one brother, they recommended ' ' that he first pay all
he thinks he ought and not be mean^ and then reflect upon pay-
ing the remainder."

During the autumn of 1835 the church was supplied by the
Rev. Jacob White, and at a meeting of the church and society
held Oct. 27, 1835, they extended to him a call to become their
pastor.

He was to have five hundred dollars salary, and the society
voted to furnish him with a suitable dwelling-house, (b}'^ his
giving seasonable notice) for a reasonable rent. This last
would seem to show that the old parsonage near where George
E. Spalding lives, and which was presented by Benjamin
Lynde, Esq., to the town, had been disposed of, or that when
the church and town dissolved partnership the town kept the
parsonage. We can find no record in regard to it, however,
Mr. White's letter of acceptance is dated Dec. 12, 1835, a^^d he
was ordained Jan. 13, 1836.

The council was organized the preceding evening at the
house of Royal B. Tupper, where Mr. White passed the exam-
ination in the presence of most of the male members of the
church and " a few females." The exercises the following day
were at the meeting-house :

Invocation by Rev. Mr. Jones of Greenfield. ,

Sermon by Rev. Mr. Aiken of Amherst.

Ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Bradford of New Boston.

Charge by the Rev. Mr. Whiton of Antrim.

Right-hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Richards of Francestown.

Address to the church, Rev. Humphrey Moore of Milford.

Concluding pra5'er by Rev. Mr. Jewett of Temple.

Mr. White says, " that the day was pleasant and the house
was so crowded that all could not get in, and that the exercises
were solemn and interesting."

298 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

After the pastorate of the Rev. Sewall Goodridge, the pastor
of the church seems to have been the church clerk as well, and
this continued until the end of Mr. Claggett's minivStry.

Rev. Frank G. Clark says of Mr. White, " He was a thor-
oughly educated man, a sound theologian, a good writer, and
an able and instructive minister of the Gospel."

Jacob White was born at East Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 20,
1806, and died in Lyndeborough while on a visit, April 3, 1865.
He was graduated from Brown University in 1832, and ^t
Andover in 1835. His health was not good while in Lynde-
borough, and did not improve for a time after he left the town.
He supplied for nine months at Plymouth, Mass., and was
pastor at Orleans, Mass., from 1841 to 1861. In 1865 he re-
moved to Bridgewater, his early home. In a historical address
delivered June, 1839, he says of the church in Lyndeborough,
" In conclusion I would observe that from a careful examination
of the records, there appear to have united with this church
since its organization, 84 years ago, about 750 persons. In
this statement no estimation is made of those who may have
been added during the twenty-three years the history of which
is entirely lost. Of this number eleven have sustained the
office of Deacon, eight have been licenced to preach the Gospel
and some others are in course of preparation for this glorious
work. The present number on our catalogue is not far from
200."

This record appears under date of Nov. 26, 1837: "Today
the Congregational church and society in this place worshipped
for the last time, as we suppose, in the old meeting -housed

Mr. White preached on that day, a historical sermon from the
text, Zech. 1:5. " Your fathers, where are they? and the
prophets, do they live forever?" An original hymn was sung
by the choir, written by Dr. Israel Herrick.

Nov. 29, 1837. " This day the new meeting-house belonging
to this church and society was solemnly dedicated to Father,
Son and Holy Ghost. The exercises were solemn and interest-
ing. The assembly was large and attentive. The services
commenced at eleven o'clock in the morning and were as
follows :

Voluntary by the choir.

Invocation ami reading of scriptures by Rev. Mr. Richardson.

Anthem. " Our I,ord is risen."

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Folsom.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 299

Psalm 122, Particular Meter.

Sermon and prayer by the pastor. Text, 122 psalm, i verse.

Anthem. " Assign to Jehovah."

Dedicatory prayer by Rev. Mr. Bradford.

Dedicatory hymn, composed by Dr. Israel Herrick

and read by Benj. F. Clark.
Concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Jennison.
Doxology sung by the whole congregation.
Benediction, after which the choir performed an anthem.

Jacob White, Pastor."

Those who remember this occasion say that the singing was
particularly good, the choir being augmented for the event.

Mr. White was dismissed June 30, 1840, after four and a
half years' of service.

The first record of a Congregational society is dated March
18, 1833. At a meeting held on that date the preliminary
steps were taken to form a society to be known as the First
Congregational Orthodox Society in I,yndeborough. Nehe-
miah Boutwell was moderator, and Nathan Jones, clerk of
this meeting. They chose Dudley Carleton, clerk, William
Jones, treasurer and collector, and Israel H. Goodridge, Elias
Mclntire, and Nathan Jones, wardens. The following notice
was published in the Farmers' Cabinet, March 25, 1833.

NOTICE

Is hereby given that Wm. Jones, Asa Manning, Elias Mc-
lntire and Israel H. Goodridge, and their associates have
formed themselves into a religious society by the name of the
First Congregational Orthodox Society in L/yndeborough agree-
ably to an act of the I^egislature passed July 3, 1827.

Dudley Carleton, Clerk.

It would seem that the society had some controversy with the
town in regard to a ministerial fund, for at a meeting of the
society held Jan, 16, 1835, it was voted " That the Wardens of
the Society take legal measures to retain the ' fund ' provided
it should be necessary." The records do not fully show how
the controversy was settled.

The first measures to build the present parsonage were taken
Dec. 23, 1835, when at a meeting of the society it was "voted
to chose a committee of five to ascertain the probable expense
of building a parsonage and fix on a spot and report to this
Society." This committee reported in favor of purchasing a
spot of Joseph Jones, situated in the southeast corner of his
field between Timothy Richardson's and Oliver Bixby's. But

300 HISTORY Oh LYNDEDOROUGH

the inevitable wrangle over locating such buildings occurred,
and June i, 1836, another committee was appointed, consisting
of Dea. Benjamin Goodrich, Oliver Whiting, Oliver Perham,
Jacob Butler, Elias Mclntire, Jotham Hildreth, Benjamin
Jones, Daniel Woodward and Capt. William Clark. Their de-
cision was to be " final and conclusive ' ' in regard to the pur-
chase of land and the location of the spot on which to erect the
building. No further record appears in regard to the matter of
the location. The parsonage house was built by subscription
and was finished and ready for occupanc)^ in November, 1837.
Josiah Wheeler did most of the carpenter work, and the plans
were his, modified somewhat by the Rev. Mr. White. Its cost,
including barn and well, was $1567.41.

At a meeting of the society held Jan. 16, 1837, the subject of
building a new meeting-house was brought forward, and on
Jan. 31, 1837, it was " voted to choose a committee to petition
the Selectmen to insert an article in the warrant for the next
annual Town Meeting requesting the town to sell the meeting
house at public auction." This was the first step taken in the
direction of building a new meeting-house. June 7, 1837, the
society voted to build a new meeting-house. This house was to
be built one hundred feet south of the parsonage house, leaving
room for horse sheds &c., and the money to defray the expense
was to be raised by shares of $25.00 each, taken by members of
the society and others. The house was built and ready for use
late in the fall of 1837 and has served the use of the church and
society ever since. Its steeple has been struck by lighting one
or more times and is now much lower than when first erected.
It was dedicated Nov. 29, 1837, as has been before stated. The
horse sheds were completed that year and in 1838.

After the dismissal of the Rev. Mr. White, the pulpit was
supplied by Rev. William Richardson, formerly of Wilton,
and there was some desire to have him settled, but the majority
of the society were unfavorable. Nov. 15, 1842, the church
extended a call to the Rev. Ivory Kimball to become their
pastor, the society concurring. They first offered him as salary
$360.00, but afterward raised it to $400.00. In his letter of
acceptance he says, "I accept your call on the condition that
you pay me punctually." He was installed Dec. 28, 1842.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. T. Savage of Amherst ;
in.stalling prayer by Rev. E. P. Bradford of New Boston;
charge by Rev. John M. Whiton of Antrim ; Right Hand of

/^/ fs.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 301

Fellowship by Rev. William Richardson of Deering. Mr. Kim-
ball preached in Lyndeborough a little more than three years
and was dismissed, Feb. 24, 1846. He was born at Wells, Me.,
Sept. 21, 1805 ; studied theology at Bangor Seminary; in 1834
was ordained at Lemington, Me., where he was pastor until
1841. He died July 24, 1853.

July 16, 1846, the church and society extended a call to
Erastus B. Claggett to become their pastor. He accepted and
was ordained Sept. 30, 1846. It would be hard to overstate the
value of the services of Rev. Mr. Claggett to the church and to
the town. He was not only the minister, he was the citizen,
taking great interest in everj^ material interest of the town.
As the superintendent of schools he could call all the boys and
girls in town, not only by their first but by their middle names,
and he left an impress for good upon every youth with whom he
came in contact. Of medium height, thin and spare, with keen
but kindly black eyes, nose a little inclined to be hooked, ner-
vous and spry, devoted to his calling, the valued friend and
counsellor of all his people, he labored for twenty-five years in
the church, and for the town of Lyndeborough. He was never
a strong man, physically, but had an endurance which enabled
him to bear the burden of life as a country minister. Rarely or
never was he unable to p^form his parish duties.

Rev. Mr. Clark sa5'^s of him : " He was eminently qualified by.
his literary attainments, his warm, sympathetic nature, and his
entire consecration to do a noble work in his Master's service.
He entered heartil)^ into every interest of the town. He advocated
and helped to sustain lyceums and public lectures for the bene-
fit of the community and was a prime mover in the establishing
of the Franklin Library Association. He served thirteen years
as superintendent of schools, and was instrumental in greatly
raising the standard of scholarship, and in securing new and im-
proved schoolhouses. He encouraged the scholars to continue
their studies beyond the common school, and gave his time
cheerfully and without compensation in teaching them in prepa-
ration for academy or college. He was a warm friend of the
cause of temperance, and of the oppressed colored race, and by
his words and efforts greatly stimulated those who went forth in
defense of the Union. He was devoted to the spiritual interests
of the whole town. If the people could not, or would not, come
to the church, he was ready, with much bodily discomfort, to go
to the out-districts and hold meetings. Ninety united with the

302 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

church during^ his pastorate, and many of the young people were
trained in mind and heart for fields of usefulness in town and
elsewhere."

In 1864 he served with the Christian Commission, helping the
Union cause the best way he could.

At his ordination the sermon was preached by Rev. John
Woods of Newport, and the Rev. Jonathan McGee of Frances-
town, Rev. Bezaleel Smith of Mont Vernon, Rev. Leonard Ten-
ney of Jaffrey and the Rev. Albert Manson of Bennington took
part in the ceremony.

Erastus Baldwin Claggett was born at Newport, May 9, 1815 ; entered
Dartmouth College, but did not graduate on account of ill health, and
was graduated from Andover in 1844. He was dismissed from his pastor-
ate in Lyndeborough, Sept. 30, 1870, and died at New Fairfield, Conn.,
May 16, 1877. Just before coming to L/yndeborough, he married a Miss
Paine, and during their residence in Lyndeborough five children* were
born to them.

Feb. 7, 1871, the society voted to hire the Rev. George Smith
to labor with them in the ministry for one year from Feb. i,
1 87 1. There is no record to show how long Mr. Smith preached
for the church, and the engagements of the Rev, Newton I.
Jones, Rev. Lyman F. Rand and Rev. Lincoln Harlow are not
recorded. They served as pastors of the church during the
years from 1871 to 1878. We have no further record of them.

At a meeting of the church held Aug. 29, 1878, it was voted
to extend an invitation to the Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin to be-
come the pastor, provided the society concur with the church.
The society concurred with the church and the invitation was
sent. Mr. Sawin was to receive from the society three hundred
and fifty dollars per year, with the free use of the parsonage,
and also two Sabbaths' vacation. The Home Missionary Soci-
ety was to be asked to add to this the sum of two hundred dol-
lars, which they did.

The members of the committee of the society sending the in-
vitation were Benjamin G. Herrick, John C. Ordway and W. T.
Boutwell. In a letter dated Sept. 28, 1878, Mr. Sawin accepted
the invitation, and he was installed Nov. 20, 1878. The invoca-
tion and reading of Scripture was by Rev. W. H. Woodwell of
Mont Vernon ; Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hubbard of South Lynde-
borough ; Sermon by the Rev. Albert Bryant of West Somer-
ville, Mass.; Installing Prayer by Rev. William Clark, D.D.,
of Amherst ; Charge to the Pastor by Rev. George Dustan of

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 303

Peterborough ; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. F, D. Sargent
of Brookline, N. H.; Address to the people by Rev. J. G. Davis
of Amherst.

Theophilus Parsons Sawin, son of Bela and Becca (Barber) Sawin,
was born at Natick, Mass., Feb. 4, 1817. He studied at Phillips Acad-
emy, and took a theological course with Rev. Parsons Cooke, D.D.,
of Lynn. He was ordained at Saugus, Mass., April 19, 1843, and dis-
missed April 20, 1848. Installed at Harwich, Mass., March, 1850, and
dismissed March 11, 1851. He was city missionary at Manchester from
1851 until 1856, and from 1866 to 1869. He was installed at Brookline
Dec. II, 1856, and dismissed May 18, 1866. He was acting' pastor at Re-
vere, Mass., from 1869 until April, 1874; at Middleborough, Mass., from
Jan., 1875, to Dec, 1877. He married, Jan. i, 1838, Martha, daughter of
Robert and Phebe (Mclntire) Mason.

Mr. Sawin was a man of genial presence, of social disposition,
and soon won a warm place in the affections of the people of the
church and parish. He performed the duties of pastor with
scrupulous fidelity. Failing health compelled his resignation,
Aug. 14, 1885. He was not dismissed, however, the church
hoping that a cessation from active work might restore his
health, and that he might be enabled to continue his work. He
was the pastor of the church when he died, Jan. 19, 1886.

After the resignation of Mr. Sawin the pulpit was supplied
mostly by Andover students for a time, then Mr. D. T. Torrey,
a recent graduate of the Andover Theological Seminary,
was engaged. No record was made of the time he com-
menced his labors or when they ended in this church, but he
was the religious teacher of the community for more than a
year. He was a young man of great energy and zeal in his
Master's cause, an untiring worker, and was possessed of a
great desire to do good in the church and town. His stay in the
church in Lyndeborough tended to the uplifting and refining of
the community.

During the summer of 1881 the church received the gift of a
fine communion service and also a Mason & Hamlin cabinet
organ of good tone and power. They were given by former
residents and friends of the church and town. The names of
the donors are as follows : —

Joseph E. Brown Julia A. Stark

Allen A. Brown Clark B. Jones

Roswell M. Boutwell Clarissa B. Colley

Henry M. Woodward Sarah C. Rand

Roland H. Boutwell Hattie Rand

Jennie C. Deadman Rev. Frank G. Clark

304

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Nellie B. Hardy

John F. Colby

Riclaanl Batten

Rachel Todd

Amos Pratt

Oscar Fowler

Mrs. George W. Bosworth

Mrs. Adams

Josephine Stayner

C. C. Boutwell

Alfred F. Holt

Mrs. C. A. Hurlburt

Herbert Fiske

Mrs. George Dodge

Charles R. Boutwell

Charles P. Clark

William L. Whittemore

Sewell G. Mack

Dr. Henry E. Spalding

Mrs. William Beasom

Sidney Gage

Freeman Kimball

Mrs. Marshall

Dolly Kimball

Alice Kimball

John Haggett

Mrs. Jennie C. Upton
Mrs. A. F. Hovey
Ira Houston
Abby F. Beard
Mrs. William Blaney
Harriet C. Jones
George S. Jones
John Gage
Benjamin Fiske
Robert Hawthorne
David Fowler
J. Kimball Wheeler
John H. Clark
William H. Grant
Rufus Blanchard
Peter H. Clark
John Houston
Isaiah Parker
Sarah R. Dunbar
Mary C. Pettingill
David E. Proctor
Asa B. Clark
W. W. Curtis
B.J. Boutwell
Abby J. Hawthorne
George S. Boutwell

Sept. 22, 1888, a call was extended to the Rev. A. C. Childs
to become the pastor of the church. He accepted the call in a
letter dated Oct. 31, 1888, and on the 14th of November follow-
ing, he was installed. Those taking part in the exercises were
the Rev. John Thorpe of Mont Vernon, Rev. Dennis Donovan
of South Ivyndeborough, Rev. E. H. Greely, D. D., of Con-
cord, N. H., Rev. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua, Rev. J. H.
Heald of Bennington, Rev. George W. Ruland of Greenfield.
The sermon was by Rev. Frank G. Clark of West Medford,
Mass. Mr. Childs' pastorate continued until Dec. 31, 1890,
although he was dismissed Oct. 15, 1890. He was a man of
sound orthodox theology, with a fitting sense of the dignity of
the ministerial calling, performing his parish duties with fidel-
ity, but with a rather ha.sty temper, withal, that detracted from
his usefulness in the church.

Andover students again supplied the pulpit until May 17,
1891, when the Rev. L. D. Place was hired by the 3'ear. He
closed his labors with the parish Nov. 12, 1893. Mr. Place was
a man of commanding personality, inclined to liberality in his
religious views, original in thought and an interesting preacher.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 305

After leaving Lyndeborough, he went to New York city, after
a time, and is reported to have resumed the practice of law,
having prepared himself for that profession, .and been admitted
to the Bar before entering the ministry.

During the winter of 1893-94 the pulpit was supplied by can-
didates, among whom was Owen E. Hardy, a student at
Andover, Mass. He was graduated in June, 1894. May 5,
1894, the church and society united in giving him a call to
become their pastor. He accepted the invitation in a letter
dated May 17, 1894, but it was not until the 2nd of the follow-
ing October that he was ordained and installed. The order of
exercises was as follows :

Invocation by Rev. D. Douovan of South Lyndeborough.
Reading of scripture by Rev. H. S. Ives of Francestown.
Sermon by Prof. J. W. Churchill of Andover, Mass.
Charge to the Pastor by Rev. A. J. McGown of Amherst.
Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Charles H. Button of Wilton.
Charge to the people by Rev. Cyrus Richardson of Nashua.
Closing prayer by Rev. Fred E. Winn of Brookline.

Owen E. Hardy, son of Eliphalet J. and Sabrina (Jennings) Hardy,
was born July 13, 1862, at Wilton, Me. He was born on a farm, where he
lived until attaining his majority, his lot the same as that of the average
farmer's boy, attending the district school as opportunity offered. He
fitted for college at the May School, Strong, Me., graduating from there
in June, 1887, entered Bowdoin College and graduated in 1891. He says
of himself that he obtained all of his education by his own efforts,
working his way through college by teaching and in other ways. He
entered Andover Theological Seminary in the autumn of 1S91, and was
graduated in 1894. He joined the church in 1881. This church was
three miles from where he lived, and he says he "used to walk both
ways most of the time." He preached one summer at North Anson,
Me., and the next summer at Alexandria, South Dakota. He served
while in college on the " college jury," the governing body of the stu-
dents. He resigned his pastorate Feb. 5, 1899, and was dismissed March
6, 1899, serving about five years. He removed to West Peabody, Mass.,
becoming the pastor of the church there.

While here Mr. Hardy labored earnestly for the upbuilding
of the church, in promoting lectures courses, and in all ways
striving for the best interests of the community.

June 26, 1899, the church extended a call to Arden M. Rock-
wood of Andover, Mass., to became their pastor. He accepted
the invitation and was ordained and installed Sept. 5, 1899.
Those taking part in the ceremony were the Rev. Charles H.
Button of Wilton, Rev. Donald Brown of Mont Vernon, Rev.
George Merriam of Greenville, Rev. Fred F. Winn of Benniug-

306 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

ton, Rev. W. H. Bolster of Nashua, Rev. A. T. Hillman of
Concord, and Rev. A. J. McGown of Amherst. Prof. J. W.
Churchill of Andover, Ma.ss., preached the sermon. He was
dismissed Sept. 17, 1901, after a pastorate of two years. He
accepted a call to become the pastor of a church at Wayland,
Mass.

For the next few months after the dismissal of Mr. Rockwood
the pulpit was supplied by candidates. In June, 1902, Rev.
Austin Dodge was engaged as supply.

Austin Dodge, son of Moses and Susan (Wel)ster) Dodge, was born at
Newburyport, Mass., March 4, 1839. He prepared for college at the
Newburyport high school, and entered Amherst College in 1857 ; gradu-
ated in 1861. He was graduated from the Andover Theological Seminary
in 1866. He had pastorates at Winchendon, Mass., Boylston, Mass., and
East Bridgewater, Mass., and came to the church at Lyndeborough from
Burlington, Mass. He married, Oct. 11, 1866, Sarah S. Richardson of
Dracut, Mass. Mrs. Dodge was a teacher in the Punchard High School
at Andover, Mass.

The present membership of the church (1904) is 15 males and
45 females, a total of 60.

MISCELLANKOUS ITEMS OP CHURCH HISTORY.

The following is from a historical sketch written by Rev.
Jacob White and dated June, 1839. It is interesting, though
some of it is a repetition of what has already been recorded : —

" The first catalogue of the members of the church now extant num-
bers two hundred and three names. Among these is that of Mr. Jonas
Kidder, who died about eighteen months ago, aged ninety-four years. It
is probable that all those received under its first pastor have now fallen
asleep.

After the dismission of the Rev. Mr. Rand, the church was destitute of
a pastor for a number of years. At length Mr. Sewall Goodridge was em-
ployed as a candidate for settlement. Having preached a number of
Sabbaths, it was the strong desire of the Church that he should become
its pastor. To the first and second invitations extended to him he gave
negative answers. But after he received a call the third time he resolved
to comply with the request. Accordingly on Sept. 7, 1768, his ordination
took place.

During the first twenty years after the settlement of the Rev. Mr.
Goodridge there appears to be an unbroken record of the names of those
who united with the church. This is evidently in his own handwriting.
The second year after his ordination there were twenty-four added to the
church, a few about every succeeding year till 1788. After this to the
close of his life, which is more than half the time of his ministerial labor,
there is no church record to be found. Thus a space of about twenty-
three years intervenes in which we do not know how many were added to
the church, or how many ceased to be members from death or other
causes.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 307

From 1809 to 181 1 the church was destitute of a stated pastor. Even
for some time previous, in consequence of the Rev. Mr. Goodridge's
feeble health, it was not always favored with the regular administrations
of divine ordinance. During the period that the people were without an
uuder-shepherd to watch for their souls, a considerable number of minis-
ters at different times supplied the desk. To some of them invitations
were given to settle. But none of them proved effectual till Mr. Nathaniel
Merrill gave his answer to remain, in the year i8n. On Oct, 30, in
the same year, his ordination took place.

How greatly his labors were blessed while he remained pastor of the
church, many who now worship God in this house are ready to testify.
Not a few look to him as their spiritual father in Christ. If any who
heard the Gospel message as it fell from his lips are yet in their sins, it
becomes them to seriously inquire whether the fault is not in themselves
rather than in this devoted servant of God.

When Mr. Merrill commenced the work of the ministry in this place,
the number belonging to the church was 108. During the first twelve
years after his settlement there were added one hundred and seventy-nine
persons. But from an uncontradicted report it appears that there has
been no one year since the organization of this church when the Lord has
manifested to it the exceeding riches of his grace like that of 1826. For
a considerable season previous to this a death-like slumber seemed to rest
upon the people. The foolish and wise were apparently sleeping in car-
nal security. From the statements of professed Christians, it is evident
that iniquity abounded, and the love of many waxed cold. The public
worship of God on the Sabbath was thinly attended. Conference meet-
ings were in a great measure suspended. The few who sighed in view of
the widespread desolation of Zion were about to give up all for lost.

But the time for deliverence, though invisible to the mortal eye, drew
near. In some of the meetings for conference and prayer, which had
been revived, it was manifest to those who attended that the power and
spirit of God were present. The work eventually so increased that, to
use the language of the Rev. Mr. Merrill, 'there were very few families
in which there were not some who seemed to be either deeply impressed,
or to be rejoicing in the hope of salvation.' For about two months it is
estimated that there were more hopeful conversions than days. The
Spirit of the Lord seemed to come down like a mighty wind, prostrating
sinners and bringing them submissively to Christ. Such a season had
never been witnessed in this place from its earliest settlement. In this
work God was in a striking manner pleased to magnify and to honor His
own institutions.

Though some were arrested and brought in who were the open despisers
of divine truth, of Christians and of the Sabbath, and who seemed to be
far from the kingdom of heaven, yet nearly all had been accustomed to
attend on the means of grace. Those parts of the town where the people
uniformly attended religious worship were the parts most signally
blessed. But in those neighborhoods where the families generally ab-
sented themselves from the house of God on His holy day, there were
ouly a very few hopeful conversions.

As the fruits of this revival in 1826, one hundred and seven persons

308 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

soon made a profession of their faith in Christ. During the remaining
nine years of the Rev. Mr. Merrill's ministry in this place, there were
one hundred and five persons added to the church.

In regard to my own brief and imperfect ministry, there is nothing very
particular to relate. No special divine influence has attended my feeble
efforts. Eleven only have united themselves vpith the church, while
double that number have been removed from it by death and other
causes.

In conclusion I would observe that from a careful examination of the
records there appear to have united with this church since its organiza"
tion, eighty-four years ago, about seven hundred and fifty persons. In
this statement no estimation is made of those who may have been added
during the twenty-three years the history of which is entirely lost. Of this
number eleven have sustained the office of deacon, eight have been
licensed to preach the Gospel, and some others are in a course of prepa-
ration for this glorious work. The present number on our catalogue is
not far from two hundred," * Jacob White, Pastor.

The following scrap is in the handwriting of Rev. Nathaniel
Merrill and is dated Feb. 20, 1822 : —

" Present number of church members is 205. The church experienced
a season of revival in 181 2. Forty-four persons were added to its mem-
bership. A less general revival has at other times been experienced by
which the number of church members has been gradually increasing.
When the present pastor commenced his labors, the number of profes-
sors was about 100. One Social Library containing 100 volumes, incor-
porated 1794. Nine school districts. No established means of literary
instruction other than the statute of the State requires. Generally, how-
ever, more money is raised than by these laws is required. One person
only received a public education. Mr. Caleb Houston graduated from
Williams College in 1812. Deaths in town in ten years, 160 — 16 in a
year. In 1812 a disease of a threatening aspect prevailed in the town and
thirteen died in about as many days. Called the spotted fever, or Cold
Plague."

The writer of this history undertook to compute from the
records of the church the number of persons who had been
members since its organization, but could come to no satisfac-
tory result. Rev. Frank G. Clark gives the number as nine
hundred and forty-one, which is undoubtedly correct.

In the spring of 1886, during the months of March and
April, the whole interior of the church was remodeled and re-
furnished. The singers' gallery was dismantled and done away
with. A slightly curved partition extending from floor to ceil-
ing was built, effectually separating that historic place from the
auditorium. The gallery is now used as a store-room for odds
and ends of church furniture. The stairway leading to this

*This was iu 1S39.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 309

gallery on the south was torn out and the space thus gained
made part of the entry, but the one on the north side remains.
For more than half a century those old stairways were the
loitering place for the boys and men and it may be observed
here, that it was the custom for the women and girls to use the
north stairway and the same unwritten law compelled the men
and boys to use the one at the south.

The old high pulpit with its winding stairs was removed and
a platform and desk substituted. The recessed panel back of
the pulpit with the inscription in gilt letters, " Holiness be-
cometli thy House O L,ord, forever," at which generations of
children have stared during service, was removed and the walls
were replastered and gived a soapstone finish. The west end of
the auditorium was frescoed, the inscription before quoted being
preserved in colors. Frescoed panels at the right and left of
the platform contain passages of scripture. The expense of
this frescoing was given by Mr. Robert Hawthorne, of Boston.

The old-fashioned pews with doors were removed and new
pews arranged in a slightly circular form were put in. A broad
aisle was made down the center of the room, with aisles next
the wall. The backs of the old pews, being of fine broad
boards, were used in making the new, so that there is that
much in the new furnishing to serve as a memento of the past.

A raised platform with railing was made at the rear of the
room as a place for the choir. It was first proposed to place the
choir at the left of the preacher's desk, but so much opposition
developed that the plan was abandoned. New carpets were
bought, new chairs for the choir platform, and in 1896 the
Ladies' Sewing Circle paid the expense of putting in new
windows, these windows being partly made of stained glass,
and then there was little to remind one of the old church of 1837.

The expense of these new windows was about $85.00.
Through the efforts of the L,adies' Sewing Circle, generous
contributions by Mrs. Ellen Trevitt of Mont Vernon and her
sister, Mrs. Josephine Boylston of Amherst, together with the
proceeds of a lecture by the Rev. Frank G. Clark, a new pulpit
set was bought and installed in place. The result of all these
changes is a beautiful church interior.

The expense of remodeling the church was largely paid by
the Ivadies' Sewing Circle. But former residents of the town
and friends of the church contributed liberally, while resident
members of the church and society helped with money and

310 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

labor. The Ladies' Sewing Circle before mentioned is an or-
ganization of the ladies of the parish, whose object is to provide
funds for carrying on church and society work.

The large and costly Bible used on the preacher's desk was
the gift of Mrs. Charles E. Abbott, of Maiden, Mass. She was
formerly Miss Clara A. Manahan, a former resident of the town.

The first church or society clerk was Jacob Wellman. He
was succeeded in 1761 by John Stephenson, who served until
1764, and perhaps after that. It is evident that the Rev. Sewall
Goodridge kept the church records during most of his pastor-
ate. Dea. Aaron Lewis was chosen clerk in 1806, serving until
the Rev. Nathaniel became pastor, when he also assumed the
duties of clerk. The Rev. Jacob White kept the records dur-
ing his pastorate and then Doctor Israel Herrick was chosen
clerk. Rev. Ivory Kimball succeeded Dr. Herrick, then John
Richardson, followed by Rev. Mr. Claggett. Dea. Nathaniel
T. Mclntire has served from 1871 until the present time.

Ephraim Putnam and Benjamin Cram were evidently the
first ,deacons of the church in Lyndeborough. David Badger
and Ephraim Putnam, Jr., were chosen in 1774. In 1782
Peter Clark and William Barron were chosen. Then in order,
Dea. Samuel Houston, Dea. Aaron Lewis, Dea. Oliver Whit-
ing, Dea. John C. Goodrich, Dea. William Jones, Dea. N. T.
Mclntire, Dea. Asa Hill, Dea. William C. Wilder and Dea. Eli
C. Curtis.

In December, 1823, a religious association was organized,
which Rev. Frank G. Clark says " might well be called the
original Society of Christian Endeavor, as its aim, method and
constitution were almost exactly those of the present society of
that name." The constitution of this early religious society is
as follows :

We the subscribers agree to form ourselves into a society for religious
improvement, and as a summary of our belief of the leading truths en-
tertained in the Holy Scriptures we adopt the confession of faith used in
the church and we humbly entreat the guidance and direction of the
Holy Spirit to assist us in our Christian course, that we may be enabled
to perform every duty which devolves upon us with filial piety, and
that our meeting may prove a blessing to our own souls, and the souls of
those around us. We furthermore agree in the strength of Christ to ob-
serve the following rules and regulations :

(i) That the present pastor of the church be the president of the
society.

(2) That a vice-president be chosen quarterly to act as president in his
absence.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 311

(3) That a secretary be chosen at the first meeting in January annually
whose duty it shall be to keep the records of the society.

(4) That we meet once a fortnight in the afternoon or evening of
Monday at such hour and place as may be agreed on by the society.

(5) That in case of absence we will render an excuse if requested.

(6) That our meetings be opened and closed with prayer and singing.

(7) That none of us will decline leading in prayer when requested by
the president, unless for special reasons. (In this article male members
are intended. )

(8) That experimental religion be the frequent subject of conversation,
and that the president may select a passage of Scripture at each meeting
to be discussed by the members at the next meeting.

(9) Resolved, That we will be free to relate to each other our feelings
and views upon religion.

(ro) That strict order be observed during our meetings and that but
one speak at a time.

(11) That no person, either male or female, will be expected to meet
with this society more than once, unless such person unites with us by
signing the constitution.

(12) That the above constitution may receive such amendments, alter-
ations or additions as the society may think expedient.

Dated Dec, 1823.

Signed by Males Females

Nathaniel Merrill Betsey Merrill

John Houston Clarissa French

Daniel Woodward Rachel Woodward

Eleazer Woodward Hannah Lewis

Joshua Sargent, Jr. Nancy Lewis

Israel H. Goodridge Hannah Goodridge

Isaac P. French Precilla Jones

William Jones Hannah Whiting

William T. Boutwell Fanny Ordway

David Woodward Alice Whiting

Timothy Ordway Jeannette N. Brewster
Erasmus D. Eldredge
Williams Woodward

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHOIR.

In the early days of the church in Lyndeborough the singing
was by the congregation. Some person qualified for the place
was chosen to " set the psalm," as it was called. His position
was up in front near the minister, and it was his duty to pitch
the tune and lead the singing. He used what was called the
pitchpipe to get the proper pitch, though later the tuning-fork
came into use, and was considered an improvement. Sometimes
more than one person was chosen, as in 1769, Andrew Fuller,
Osgood Carleton and William Barron were voted into the office.

Singing books were almost unknown then, and much of the

312 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

singing was done by ^lemor5^ Tradition says, however, that
they had grand, good singing in those days, and that almost
every one entered into the spirit of " singing to the lyord." It
was the custom for all of the congregation to stand during the
singing, but some evidently rebelled at that, for later it was a
vote of the church that they might sit or stand as they might
think convenient. From time immemorial churches have had
trouble about their singing, and it is probable that the church
in lyyndeborough was no exception. Persons in those early
times became " uneasy in their minds " about the singing, and
choristers were " turned down " occasionally.

Just when the first choir was formed in I^yndeborough cannot
be told, but it would seem to have been some time previous to
the erection of the old church at the centre, for in that house a
place was reserved for the singers' seats. Nor can it be told
when musical instruments were first introduced. Tradition says
there was much opposition to any stringed instrument being
used in the sacred place. A pipe-organ was bought and in-
stalled in the old church, and Johnson Putnam was paid a dollai-
a Sunday to play it. When the new church was built in 1837,
this organ was taken out and sold. The violin, bass-viol and
trombone took its place for awhile, and they were probabl}-
played more or less with the old organ. lyater, Kilburn S. Cur-
tis introduced and played what was called a stopper-keyed
melodeon, the kind that was blown with the right elbow when
in use. Next came a more modern melodeon, and now a Mason
& Hamlin organ.

Ira Houston was the first leader of the choir of which there is
any remembrance, and since his time many have held the office :
Daniel Woodward, Jr., Jotham Hildreth, Eli Clark Curtis,
Daniel B. Whittemore, John Richardson, William W. Curtis,
Benjamin G. Herrick and others.

Tyler Tupper played the trombone, Jesse Pearsons, Daniel
Gould and l^afayette Herrick the bass-viol, Daniel Woodward,
Jr., Joel Gay, Eli C. Curtis the violin. Daniel Gould, Asher
Curtis and Oliver Bixby were also leaders of the choir at one
time or another. Probably no one family has been more identi-
fied with singing in Lyndeborough than the Curtis family. Eli
and Asher, Sr., Israel, Eli C, Betsey Ann, Kilburn S., Asher,
2nd, Hiram, William W., all were members of the choir, and
musicians of repute outside the town. Singing schools flour-

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 313

ished and the pupils graduated into the church choir, which
was known for half a century as one of the best.

Through the efforts of Rev, Mr. Claggett a bell was bought
for the church. This first church bell in Lyndeborough was
hung Feb. 20, 1850. The money to pay for this bell, some
three hundred dollars, was raised by subscription, and it is said
to have been of exceptionally sweet tone. By .some means it
became cracked, and about 1855 was replaced by the present
bell. The old one was sold for bell metal, and the difference
made up in various ways, among which was the holding of the
old-fashioned " levee" for raising money. And here it may not
be out of place to mention the custom, now done away with, of
tolling the church bell on the death of any one in the parish.
All within hearing of its tones could tell by the number of
strokes the age of the person, and whether man, woman or
child. It was not until about twenty years ago that this old
New England custom was dropped.

THE RECORD OF BAPTISM.

The following list of baptisms is inserted for the reason that it
is the only record of some of the early families to be found. It
is taken from the first volume of the church records and includes
all up to 1800, but is evidently very incomplete. The record
of baptisms from 181 1 down appears to have been correctly kept,
but as the records from the organization of the church until
181 1 are fragmentary it is probable that this is a list of only a
part of those baptized before that date.

A.
Aug. 6, 1769. Daniel, son of Josiah and Hanuah Abbott
July 25, 1773. rSarali, daughter of Josiah and Hannah Abbott
June, 1780. Daughter of Ephraim and Dorothy Abbott
June, 1780. Ephraim, son of Ephraim and Dorothy Abbott

B.
Oct. 2. 1768. Eliphalet, son of Robert and Hannah Badger
Oct. 2, 1768. Ruth, daughter of William and Olive Barron
Dec. 4, 1768. Phebe, daughter of Phineas and Sarah Barker
Mar. 26, 1769. Stephen, son of David and Rachel Badger
Apr. 23, 1769. Judith, daughter of James and Mary Boutwell
Sept. 7, 1769. Phineas, son of Phineas and Sarah Barker
June 26, 1770. Deborah, daughter of Edward and Eunice Bevins
June 26, 1770. Hannah Boynton, daughter of Richard and Rebecca

Boynton
June 26, 1770. Josepha Boynton, daughter of Richard and Rebecca

Boynton
July I, 1770. Joanna, daughter of William and Butterfield

314 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

July 8, 1770. Mary, daughter of Robert and Hannah Badger

Sept. 9, 1770. Joseph, son of Edward and Kunice Bevins

Dec. 23, 1770. Hannah, daughter of David and Rachel Badger

June 2, 177 1. Sarah, daughter of William and Olive Barron

Oct. 6, 1771. James, son of James and Mary Boutwell

Oct. 20, 1771. Hannah, daughter of Phineas and Sarah Barker

May 31, 1772. John, son of William Butterfield and wife

Aug. 23, 1772. Sarah, daughter of David and Rachel Badger

Aug. 30, 1772. Rachel, daughter of Robert and Hannah Badger

Sept. 12, 1772. Thomas Spaulding, son of Thomas and Sarah Boffee

Aug. 29, 1773. John, son of John and Sarah Bradford

Sept. 5, 1773- Joseph, son of Edward and Eunice Bevins

Nov. 7, 1773. William, son of Phineas and Sarah Barker

Nov. 21, 1773. Nehemiah, son of James and Mary Boutwell

Apr. 3, 1774. Jonathan, son of William and Olive Barron

Apr. 24, 1774. Prince, servant boy to John and Sarah Bradford

July, 1774. Son of Richard and Keturah Boynton

July, 1774- Orpah, daughter of Richard and Keturah Boynton

July 31, 1774. Anna, daughter of David and Rachel Badger

May 14, 1775. Robert, son of Robert and Hannah Badger

July 8, 1776. Daniel, son of David and Rachel Badger

Nov. 14, 1779. Benjamin, son of Benj. and Sarah Bullock

Nov. 14, 1779. Sarah, daughter of Benj. and Sarah Bullock

Nov. 14, 1779- Anna, daughter of Benj. and Sarah Bullock

C.
Jan. 24, 1769. Robert, son of William and Isabel Carson
June 13, 1769. Hannah, daughter of David and Mary Cram
June 13, 1769. Micajah, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Coston

Oct. 6, 1769. Olive, daughter of Jacob and Cram

Aug. 12, 1770. Benjamin, son of Jonathan and Margaret Chamberlain
Aug. 19, 1770. John, son of William and Isabel Carson
Aug. 26, 1770. Elizabeth, son of John and Elizabeth Carkin.
Jan. 6, 1771. Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Olive Cram, Jr.
Apr. 14, 1 77 1. Gideon, son of David and Mary Cram
Aug. 25, 1771. Abigail, daughter of Timothy and Rachel Carleton
Apr. 26, 1772. Jonathan, son of Jonathan Chamberlain, Jr. and Margaret,
his wife.

May 31, 1772. Zebulou, son of Jacob and Cram

June 21, 1772. Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah and Carleton

May 20, 1773. Asa, son of William and Isabel Carson
June 6, 1773. Eunice, daughter of Timothy and Rachel Carleton
Aug. 8, 1773. Deborah, daughter of David and Mary Cram
Apr. 17, 1774. John, son of Jonathan and Margaret Chamberlain, Jr.
May 8, 1774. Benjamin, son of Benjamin Cram, Jr. and Olive, his wife.
June 5, 1774. Timothy, son of Jeremiah Carleton.

Nov. 13, 1774- Benjamin and John Clough, sons of Benjamin and Thank-
ful Clough.
Oct. I, 1775- Rachel, daughter of Nathan Cram
Oct. 18, 1778. Nathan, son of Nathan and Rachel Cram
Oct, 18, 1778. Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Margaret Chamber-
lain

ECCL ESI AS TIC A L MA TTERS

315

Benjamin, son of Benjamin and Sarah Dutton
Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Dutton
Hannah, daughter of Dickerman and Bathsheba,

Aug. 19, 1770

June 28, 1772

Nov. I, 1772.

his wife.

July 31, 1774. Reuben, son of Benjamin and Sarah Dutton
Oct. 6, 1776. Jacob, son of Benjamin and Sarah Dutton
June 1780. Susanna, daughter of Isaac and Susanna Day
June, 1780. Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Susanna Day

E.
May 24, 1772. Mary Kpes, daughter of Francis and Mary Epes
July 4, 1773. Elizabeth, daughter of Francis and Mary Epes

Mar. 18, 1770. Pamila, daughter of Andrew and Mary Fuller
July, 1772. Phoebe, daughter of Nathan and Esther Fisher
Jan. 30, 1774. Benjamin, son of Andrew and Mary Fuller
July 31, 1774. Esther, daughter of Nathan and Esther Fisher
Sept. 22, 1771. Mehitabel, daughter of Andrew and Mary Fuller
Oct. 18, 1778. Mary, daughter of Philip and Mary Fletcher

Sept. 30, 1771. Mehitabel, daughter of Sewall and Phebe Goodridge

Jan. 20, 1771. John, son of John Susanna Gould

Feb. 2, 1772. Sarah, daughter of Sewall and Phebe Goodridge

Feb. 16, 1772. David, son of John and Susanna Gould

July II, 1773. Benjamin, son of Sewall and Phebe Goodridge

Oct. 10, 1773. William, son of John and Susanna Gould

Jan. 19, 1777. Lucy, daughter of Sewall and Phebe Goodridge

Nov. 9, 1788. George, son of Daniel and Dorcas Gould

June 18, 1788. Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Gardner

June 18, 1788. Sarah, wife of Ebenezer Gardner

June 18, 1788. Mary, daughter of Eben Gardner and Sarah, his wife

June 18, 1788. Henr}^ Whittredge, son of Ebenezer Gardner

June 18, 1 188. Daniel, son of Ebenezer and Sarah Gardner

June 18, 1788. Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and Sarah Gardner

Nov. 14, 1779. Susanna, daughter of Daniel and Dorcas Gould

Nov. 14, 1779. Mehitabel, daughter of Daniel and Dorcas Gould

June, 1780. Sarah, daughter of John and Margaret Grant

H.
Oct. 16, 1768. Elijah, son of John and Hannah Hutchinson
June 4, 1769. Ebenezer, son of James and Deborah Hutchinson

June 26, 1770. Samuel, son of George and Hutchinson

June 26, 1770. Elizabeth, daughter of George and Hutchinson

June 26, 1770. George, son of George and Hutchinson

June 26, 1770.
June 26, 1770.
Aug. 19, 1770.
May 5, 1771.
May 19, 1771.

Ruth, daughter of George and Hutchinson

Sarah, daughter of James and Deborah Hutchinson
Chase, son of Joshua and Mary Hadley
Umphrey, son of Joshua and Mary Hadley
Clark, son of George and Susanna Hutchinson

316

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Feb. 23, 1772.
June 28, 1772.
July 19, 1772.
May 23, 1773.
July II, 1773.
July II, 1773.
Aug. 8, 1773.
June 21, 1772.
May 17, 1772.

Nov. I, 1778.

Nov. 15, 1778.

Mar. 26, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1769.
Aug. 6, 1869.
Nov. 7, 1773.
Sept. 17, 1775,
May 14, 1775.

Apr. 23, 1769.
May 21, 1769.
Mar. 31, 1771.
Apr. 25, 1773.
Feb. 19, 1775.

John, son of Samuel and Betty Hutchinson

John, son of James and Hutchinson

Samuel, son of Samuel and Rachel Houston
Betty, daughter of Samuel and Betty Hutchinson
Ambrose, son of George and Susanna Hutchinson
Mary, daughter of George and Susanna Hutchinson

Hannah, daughter of James and Hutchinson

Daniel, son of Daniel and Howe

Betliia, daughter of Oliver and Bethia Holmes of New
Boston

Ruth, daughter of Hooper and Ruth, his wife

Huldah Bevins, daughter of Widow Deborah Hutchinson

J-

Ephraim, sou of James and Hannah Johnson
Lydia, daughter of Adam and Abigail Johnson
John, son of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Adam, son of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Betty, daughter of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Hannah, daughter of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Mary, daughter of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Lucy, daughter of Adam and Abigail Johnson
Son of Benjamin and Jemima Jones

Osgood and David, sons of John and Abigail Johnson, Jr.

vSarah and Lydia, daughters of Adam Johnson, Jr., and
Mary, his wife

K.
Rachel, daughter of John and Trephina Kidder
Aaron, son of Jonas and Huldah Kidder
Jonas, son of Jonas and Huldah Kidder
Hannah, daughter of Jonas and Huldah Kidder
David, son of Jonas and Huldah Kidder

Aug. 25, 1771.
Aug. 13, 1773.
July 31, 1774-
Sept. 17, 1775.

June 6, 1769.
June 6, 1769.
June 6, 1769.
May 6, 1770.
Apr. 28, 1 77 1.
Apr. 19, 1772.
Aug. 13, 1773.
Aug. 29, 1773.

Sarah, daughter of David and Lydia Lewis
Bethsheba, daughter of David and Lydia Lewis
Lydia, daughter of David and Lydia Lewis
Willard and Catharine, son and daughter of Phineas
Lund

M.
Samuel, son of Samuel and Elizabeth McMaster
James Jewett, son of Samuel and Elizabeth McMaster
Dan., son of Samuel and Elizabeth McMaster
Sarah, daughter of Joel and Phebe Manwell
Betty, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth McMaster
Hannah, daughter of Joel and Phebe Manwell
Phebe, daughter of Joel and Phebe Manwell
Deborah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth McMaster

Oct. 7, 1770. James, son of John and Ordway

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 317

Oct. 27, 1771. Frances Chase, daughter of John and Ordway

Apr. 24, 1774. Amos, sou of John and Ordway

Sept. 8, 1768. Mary, daughter of George and Elizabeth Parson

Nov. 13, 1768. Ephraim, son of Ephraim Putnam, Jr., and lyucy, his

wife.
Nov. 26, '1769. Samuel, son of Archelaus and Abigail Putnam
Nov. 26, 1769. Jonathan, son of Ephraim 3d and Rachel Putnam
June 26, 1770. Sarah York, servant girl to Nathan and Anna Parson
July 8, 1770. Anna, daughter of Nathan and Anna Parson
Sept. 30, 1770. Daniel, son of Ephraim Putnam, Jr., and Lucy, his wife.
June 15, 1 77 1. George, son of George and Elizabeth Parson

Aug. II, 1771. Cornelius Grey, son of Samuel and Parson

Oct. 20, 1771. Mary, daughter of Archelaus and Abigail Putnam

Jan. 10, 1773. Tabby, daughter of Nathan and Anna Parson

Feb. 14, 1773. Sarah, daughter of Ephraim Putnam, Jr., and Lucy, his

wife.
Feb. 14, 1773. Mehitabel, daughter of Ephraim Putnam 3rd and Racheb

his wife.
June 13, 1773. Bartholomew, son of George and Elizabeth Person by the

Rev. Mr. Wesbster
Feb. 7, 1775. Nathan, son of Nathan and Anne Person
Sept. 17, 1775. A son of William Person
June, 1780. Benjamin, son of Samuel and Susanna Punchard

R.
April 16, 1769. Joseph, son of John and Mary Row
July 29, 1770. Hannah, daughter of Peter and Mehitabel Russell
May 5, 1 77 1. Thomas, son of John and Mary Rowe
June 20, 1773, Mary, daughter of John and Mary Rowe
May 14, 1775. Joseph, son of Joseph Richard
Nov., 1775. Irene, daughter of Nehemiah Rand
Jan. 19, 1777. Nehemiah, son of Nehemiah and Mary Rand
June, 1780. Molly, daughter of Peter and Mehitabel Russell

S.
Sept. 8, 1768. Nathaniel, son of Stephen and Martha Spaulding
Sept. 8, 1768. Martha, daughter of Levi and Anna Spaulding
Jan. I, 1769. Daniel, son of Asahel and Sarah Stiles
Aug. 5, 1770. Esther, daughter of Levi and Anna Spaulding
Sept. 30, 1770. Esther, daughter of Asael and Sarah Stiles
June 15, 1771. Rachel, daughter of Stephen and Martha Spaulding
April 2, 1772. Levi, son of Levi and Anna Spaulding
May 12, 1772. William, son of Samuel and Rebecca Stevens
June 6, 1773. Mary, daughter of Moses Stiles, Jr.
Jan. 30, 1774. Sarah, daughter ot Asahel and Sarah Stiles
Jan. 7, 1775. Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Stevens and wife
Jan. 12, 1775. Mehitabel, daughter of Joshua Stiles and wife
Feb. 19, 1775. Phebe, daughter of Moses Stiles, Jr., and wife
Nov. 19, 1769. Abigail, daughter of John and Abigail Stephenson
May 27, 1770. John, son of Samuel and Rebecca Stephens

318 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Feb. 7, 1773. Lydia, daughter of John and Abigail Stephenson

Oct. 6, 1776. David, son of David and Eunice Stratton

Oct. 16, 1776. Mary, daughter of John and Mary Savage

Oct. 20, 1776. Samuel, son of Moses Stiles, Jr., and Sarah, his wife

Oct. 18, 1778. Rhoda, daughter of Asahel and Sarah Stiles

Oct. 27, 1778. vSarah, daughter of John and Abigail Stephenson

June, 1780. William, son of John and Mary vSavage

June, 1780. Charity, daughter of John and Mary Savage

June, 1780. Dorothy, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Stevens

June, 1780. Rebecca, daughter of Joshua and Mehitabel Stiles

T.
Oct. 27, 1776. James, son of Widow Mary Thompson

W.
Oct. 23, 1768. Sewall, son of Joseph and Phebe Wilkins, Jr.
March 26, 1769. Ephraim, son of Eleazer and Hannah Woodward
Sept. 24, 1769. Eunice, widow of Joseph Wilkius
Sept. 24, 1769. Joseph, son of Widow Eunice Wilkins
Sept. 24, 1769. Aaron, son of George and Martha Wilson
Oct. 2, 1769. Hannah, daughter of Jacob Wellman, Jr., and Hannah, his

wife.
March 11, 1770. Joseph, son of Joseph and Phebe Wilkins
March 24, 1771. Jacob, son of Jacob Wellman, Jr., and Hannah, his wife
July 21, 1771. Hannah, daughter of George and Mary Wilson

July 28, 1771. Cyrus, son of Amos and Wilkins

Nov. 17, 1771. Eleazer, son of Eleazer and Hannah Woodward

June 14, 1772. Phebe, daughter of Joseph and Phebe Wilkins

July, 1772. Caleb, son of Zachariah Whiting and wife.

Dec. 6, 1772. David, son of Jacob Wellman, Jr., and Hannah, his wife

June 20, 1773. Hitty, daughter of Amos Wilkins and wife

June 12, 1774. Isreal, son of Eleazer and Hannah Woodward

June 12, 1775. Ezra, son of Joseph and Phebe Wilkins

Nov. 13, 1774. Eleanor Whittemore

Feb. 16, 1775. Samuel, son of Jacob Wellman, Jr., and Hannah, his wife

May 14, 1775. Rachel, daughter of Amos Wilkins

Sept. 29. 1776. Jeremiah, son of Joseph and Phebe Wilkins

Oct. 10, 1776. Ward, son of Eleazer and Hannah Woodward

Oct. 18, 1778. Susan, daughter of Jonathan Whittemore

UNION LECTURE HOUSE, NORTH LYNDEBOROUGH.

In 1 81 2 it was the custom to hold meetings at North Lynde-
borough on Sundays and other days, and sometimes in the even-
ing, for the purpose of hearing lectures and concerts. These
meetings were attended by people from Lyndeborough and
Francestown, New Boston and Mont Vernon. All these towns
corner near North Lyndeborough, and the inhabitants of these
corners were somewhat remote from the churches. Ministers
were invited to come and deliver lectures, and as singing was
thought much of then, concerts were given, probabl}^ by local

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 319

talent. But private houses were not very convenient for such
meetings, and the subject of building a house suitable for their
needs began to be agitated.* Feb. 19, 1813, a meeting was held
to see what they would do, and the following agreement was
entered into : —

"We the subscribers think it of great importance to erect a house for
the purpose of convening the Union or Concert Lecture somewhere be-
tween the Great bridge on the turnpike near Dea. John Smith's in Fran-
cestown and Thomas Parker's in New Boston on the turnpike. We
further think it expedient to appoint a meeting on Friday, Feb. 26, 1813,
at the house of Isaiah Parker Innholder to choose a committee and make
such arrangements as shall be thought proper to carry the same into
effect."

The following names were subscribed to the agreement.
Those marked with an asterisk (*) were from Lyndeborough : —

*Thomas Boardman • *Joseph Epps, 2nd

*Daniel N. Boardman Robert Holmes

*John Clark, 2nd William Crombie

John Christie *Israel Brown

*David Senter *Aaron Whittemore

*Joseph Epps Nathaniel Martiu

Joshua Blanchard Manley Butler

Joseph Wilson James Ferguson

*Peter Clark, Jr. Joseph French

*Ebenezer Hutchinson *Osgood Hutchinson

Dole Butler *Benj. Goodrich
*Charles Whitmarsh

At a meeting held Mar. i, 1813, the following was adopted: —

"Whereas the Union Lectures (so called) have been kept up in this
vicinity for several months past, and as we think they have a great ten-
dancy to administer to our comfort, instruction, and edification, we are
desirous to have them, and for the better accommodation for the same we
think it expedient to erect a building for that purpose to stand on Mr.
Ebenezer Hutchinsons land near the turnpike. Therefore we the sub-
scribers do agree to pay the several sums affixed to our several names, in
money, labor or any material that may be thought necessary for said
building.

Manley Butler Labor I4.00 Nails $2.00 6.00

Dole Butler Labor and boards 5.00

♦Rev. Frank G. Clark mentions this house in his Historical Address as follows: "At
the suggestion of Rev. Moses Bradford of Francestown, the ministers of that town and
of Lyndeborough, New Boston and Mont Vernon agreed to establish a Wednesday lec-
ture at Nor*h Lyndeborough, to accommodate parts of the four towns adjoining. It was
held in the afternoon every other Wednesday, and these four ministers were to preach
iu turn, the others as far as practicable to be present. At first it wa.s given in private
houses, then in Parker Hall. Then iu 1S13 a lecture house was built which was used
about forty years. Out of this movement began the revival of 1812 and the neighbor-
hood Sunday evening prayer meeting."

320 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Aaron Whittemore Labor 3.00

John Clark 2nd Labor fS.oo Nails f2.oo 10.00

Thomas Hutchinson Work 8.00

Nathaniel Hutchinson Labor 4.00

William Dodge Labor 5.00

William Crombie 16 dollars in Lumber 16.00

Daniel Clark Labor 11.00

Nathan Fisher, Jr. Cash I5. 00 Work I5. 00 10.00

John Stanley Cash I5.00 Work I5.00 10.00

It is very evident that the above list of those who gave toward
the building is not complete ; probably only the subscription of
that meeting. At this meeting Ebenezer Hutchinson contrib-
uted as follows : —

The subscriber hereby promises to give the use of a certain piece of
land to set the above mentioned hoiise upon, so long as it shall be occu-
pied for the al>ove-mentioned use. Ebenezer Hutcliinsou.

The building was erected that year. It was a large, barn-like
structure with an unfinished interior, and the land on which it
stood is now owned by John H. Goodrich. It served the pur-
pose for which it was built for quite a number of years, but was
finally torn down and carried to Mont Vernon and erected for a
barn.

IN CONCLUSION.

At this day it is hard to analyze the religious convic-
tions of our forefathers. Perhaps it is useless to try. The
church records of I^yndeborough are not safe guides in such an
undertaking ; but that these men were sincere in their belief in
and reliance on the Bible as a guide in affairs temporal and
spiritual there can be no shadow of a doubt. Men and women
living north and west of the mountain rode or walked three and
four miles to attend divine worship. The inhabitants of
" Bevins " or Perham Corner did the same. All living on the
outskirts of the town traveled long distances, over wretchedly
poor roads or no roads at all, to reach the meeting-house, and
they did it too, through storms and snow as well as sunshine.
The absence of any of the congregation for a Sunday or two
was the cause of remark, and it may be added, sometimes got
the absentee into trouble. These facts show the sincerity of
the people in the value they placed upon church services.

In those early times ready money was very scarce and the
settlers were poor. It was a hard struggle to obtain the com-
mon necessaries of life for themselves and their increasing
families. Luxuries were unthought of. That these men paid

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 321

as much as they did out of their meagre store of cash to build
meeting-houses, and to support the church aud minister, shows
that they were willing to supplement their faith by work and
self-denial. Believing they must watch the path their own feet
trod, they also firmly believed that it was their duty to watch
the pathway of their brethren lest they stumble ; and being
human, mistakes and misunderstandings were often magnified
into something that should be taken before the church for ad-
justme'nt. But this does not in the least detract from their
magnificent courage and sublime faith in an immortality which
made them endure privations and hardships with fortitude and
without a murmur.

CHAPTER XIV.
Ecclesiastical Matters, Continued.

repairing the meeting-house, by rev. d. donovan.

The meeting-house had been built about twenty-five years,
and had been used both as town hall and house of worship.
The population of the town had increased so that an enlarge-
ment of the accommodations was necessary, and doubtless the
house needed touching up in order to freshen it and make it
more attractive. The matter of repairs, therefore, began to be
agitated. The town meeting of July 29, 1793, adjourned its
session to Aug. 19, 1793, and chose a committee at the ad-
journed meeting, consisting of Dea. Putnam, Lieut. Blanchard,
Lieut. Lewis and Ebenezer Gardner, to make an estimate of the
matter of repairing the meeting-house. The committee re-
ported that

"There should be twelve pews made on the lower floor, in the follow-
ing places, viz.. Eight where the body seats are, and One against each of
the end doors, and One in each stairway; and Eight pews in the front
gallery ; also that there should be a porch built at the front of the meet-
ing-house. The house was to be shingled, and painted a stone color, and
the roof was to be a Spanish brown. Windows were to be made where
the end doors were, new water tables made and the underpinning
repaired.*

The report was accepted by the town, and Dr. Benjamin
Jones, Deacon Ephraim Putnam and Capt. Benjamin Epes were
chosen a comm,ittee to effect the work ; and a vote was also
passed to sell the pews at public vendue the 3rd of September
next at the house of Major Daniel Gould at i o'clock p. m.

The sale of the pews was carried out and duly recorded. But
other changes were made in the plans from time to time, which
render a clear and positive statement of the repairs actually
made somewhat difiicult. But the -work was finally completed,
and the report of the expenses was presented by the committee
and accepted by the town, May 28, 1795. More than $1,100
was expended on the improvements, a sum which must have
considerably burdened the people when money was very scarce

*The house was so plastered as to leave part of the large posts and the braces in view,
which were whitewashed. The gallery was supported by pine pillars, rounded and
■whitened, the entire structure, without and within, indicating the regard of the people
for their house of worship.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 323

and war debts were still pressing. They were as loyal to their
church as to their country in its time of conflict. All this, too,
while efforts were put forth by Benjamin Killam and others in
the southwest part of the town and Jonathan Pearson, Jr., and
others in the southeast to be set off from Lyndeborough and an-
nexed respectively to Temple and Milford.

FURTHER REPAIRS OF THE MEETING-HOUSE.

On Aug. 19, 1811, the town again voted to repair the meet-
ing-house, by "building five pews in the east bannister seat,
and five pews in the west bannister seat, and one pew at the
east end of the east body seats, and one pew at the west end of
the west body seats, reserving one half of the body seats for the
use they now are for." Daniel Putnam, Esq., Nathan Wheeler,
and Lieut. Oliver Perham were chosen a committee to carry
this vote into effect. This committee reported Oct. 8, 1811, as
follows :

"That we made a contract with Mr. Jacob Manning to build said pews
at 7.99 a piece, in a workman-like manner and with good stuff, amount-
ing to D. 95.88. He charges for making and hanging six extra seats,
1.25, total D. 97.13. We have examined the pews and are of the opinion
that Mr. Manning has fulfilled his contract, and is entitled to the above
sum of D. 97.13 within sixty days from this date," which is submitted

bv Daniel Putnam 1 ^ ...

Oct. 7th, 1811. Nathan Wheeler I C°°^°^^"^^

The town voted to sell the pews at vendue, and chose Nathan
Wheeler, Capt. William Clark and Mr. Nehemiah Boutwell a
committee to carry out the sale.

The repairs planned at this time, seem to have covered only
a part of the work needed. For we find the town voting, in
Sept., 1814, " to have a good ground pinning of hewed stone
put under the meeting-house, the front to be twenty inches deep,
and the porch and east end the same, to the door ; and the back
side to be one foot deep ; and that there be three new door-
stones." The whole cost $123, as estimated by the committee,
Daniel Putnam, Nehemiah Boutwell, and Daniel Woodward.

Still further repairs were made upon the house, three years
later, when. May 5, 181 8, the town voted "to put a new water
court around the meetinghouse, to paint it in a decent manner,
nail the clapboards well, and make some small repairs in the
plastering and joists overhead." The cost at this time was es-
timated to be about $155. Daniel Putnam and Nehemiah
Boutwell were chosen a committee to get the work done.

324 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

These, so far as appears, were the last repairs' made upon the
old meeting-house built by the town, while it was used as a
house of worship. In 1837, a new meeting-house, the property
of the Congregational church and society was built, and the
old house was used thereafter, for several years, as a town
house. It was soon considered inconvenient for such purposes,
but the town was slow in uniting upon any change in its in-
terior which would improve it. A vote of the town was finally
obtained, however, to build a convenient town hall ; and after
this was built, the old meeting-house was sold. Jacob Butler
bought it, had the frame taken down, and removed to his place
in the northwest part of the town, and had it set up, with some
small alterations in its form, and used as a barn.

The barn is still standing (1905) and its solid, well-finished oak
timbers, ingeniously and powerfully fitted together, do credit,
even at this advanced day, to the townsmen and mechanics of
that early time.

THE CARE OF THE MEETING-HOUSE.

An item of considerable importance, to be settled annually,
was the care of the meeting-house. At each annual meeting,
the town entrusted this essential matter to some reliable citizen.
The town owned the meeting-house and the care of it was paid
for out of the town funds.

In 1775, Mr. George Gould, whose house stood on the oppo-
side side of the road, was chosen to take care of the meeting-
house, his remuneration, eight shillings.

In 1786, "Voted James Boutwell nine shillings for taking
cair of the meeting house the year ensuing." But in 1812,
the town voted, " that the care of the meetinghouse be put to
the lowest bidder, the undertaker to sweep the house well and
keep it clean, to clear the doors from snow in the winter, to
open and shut it as often as necessary, and all to be done to the
acceptance of the Selectmen." "The care of it was struck
off at auction to Mr. Timothy Richardson, at two dollars and
ten cents."

THE MEETING-HOUSE GROUNDS.

About the time of repairing the meeting-house previously
described, there arose, also, on the part of many of the citizens,
a desire for more commodious meeting-house grounds than
those hitherto occupied. The insufficiency of the old grounds
was less apparent when the population of the town was small.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 325

But after the close of the Revolutionary War, the number of
inhabitants was increasing year by year ; and after costly im-
provements had been made upon the house of worship, it was
natural enough that attention should be directed to securing
more spacious grounds for its surroundings. Hence, people be-
gan to inquire what it was possible for them to do.

Some of them remembered that the original charter of Lynde-
borough from the Masonian proprietors, reserved ten acres
there " for public use, notwithstanding such Lott should be laid
out to any particular person or persons." Therefore, at the
annual meeting, March 5, 1793, Neheraiah Rand, Esq., Dr.
Benjamin Jones, and Capt. Benjamin Epes, were chosen to
inquire into the matter.* They planned a conference with
Major Daniel Gould, the owner of the land adjoining the
meeting-house, to see if some arrangement could not be made,
and the grounds specified in the charter secured.

This committee took pains to investigate the case and to con-
fer with legal counsel ; and at the next annual meeting, March
4, 1794, presented as a report, a writing from Judges Dana and
Gordon, whom both Major Gould and the town had accepted as
referees, and whose advice they both promised to follow. t The
advice was given thus : +

"We the subscribers, having heard the claim of the Town of Lynde-
borough to ten acres of land, part of the Lot of land on which their
meeting-house stands by their committee, and the objections to the same
on the part of Major Daniel Gould, at their mutual request, are of
opinion that at this day, no action can be supported against the posses-
sion of said Lot, to recover possession of said ten acres ; and the rule of
law is, that want of right and want of remedy is the same."

Signed 1^.^^^^ ^^"^
^ J William Gordon

Amherst, March 23, 1794.

But the ghost was not laid. An article in the warrant for a
town meeting, Nov. 16, 1795, revived the matter with great
and unexpected vigor. This meeting adjourned to Dec. 7,
when a committee, composed of Capt. William Dutton, Mr.
John Orne and Mr. John Ordway, was chosen to examine the
books, charter, and all votes respecting the ten acres, and report
their opinion to the town. The meeting adjourned again to
Dec. 21, 1795, and when met, heard the report of the commit-
tee ; but voted not to accept it.

»T. R. II, pp. 271, 274.
t This meeting adjourned to March 24, 1794, when the writing was presented.

Jld. 284.

326 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUCH

Bearing the same date, Dec. 21, 1795, is a protest expressed
as follows :

" We the subscribers do hereby protest against the proceedings of the
Town respecting their proceeding any further respecting the ten acres of
land mentioned in the warrant on which the meeting is held this day,
and that we will not pay one cent of the cost that may arise in conse-
quence of their proceeding in a law-suit or any other way, for the follow-
ing reasons, viz. :

1. That the said ten acres that was proposed to be given to the Town
in case the Town had set the meeting-house where the proprietors de-
termined it should be set, was lost by the town's noncompliance ;

2. That if the Town had a title to the said land and should recover the
same, yet the land would not be worth enough to defray the expense of
the lawsuit ; and

3. Because the town of late solemnly referred the matter, and voted to
abide the report of the referees ; and the taking the matter up again in
this way reflects great dishonor on the Town.

William Blaney Aaron Lewis

Jeremiah Carleton Benjamin Jones

Daniel Gould Eleazer Woodward

Edmond Bickford, Jr. Jonas Kidder

James Boutwell ' Samuel Huston

Charles Whitmarsh Thomas Farrington

Ephraim Kidder Thomas Boardman

Samuel Chamberlain John Clark

Jacob Dascomb Jeremiah Brown

Joseph Epes 2nd Aaron Whittemore

Joseph Hobbs Edmond Bickford, and

Joseph Kidder William Holt added his name, Jan.

Peter Clark u, 1796-

Andrew Fuller

The meeting adjourned again to Jan. 11, 1796. On the latter
date the committe reported, that

" It appeareth by the charter of the township a meeting house was to
be built and ten acres of land reserved there for public use, . . . for a
common, so long as it shall be called Lyndeborough ; and we think the
charter would suffice to deposite the same ; and by the Proprietors and
Town votes the ten acres for a common is to be where the meeting house
now stands. Therefore we think it necessary a mediately to petition the
Grantors &c. seting forth the inconvenience we labor under by the
charters not being fulfiled, and remonstrate for releaf .

William Dutton "j

John Orne >■ Committee.

John Ordway J

The foregoing protest was little heeded, A vote was passed
to petition the proprietors, and also to request the selectmen to
join in the petition and report to the town as soon as may be.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 227

Voted, also, that the committee request Major Gould to set off
the ten acres.

The proprietors were petitioned as by above vote. Major
Gould had ' ' utterlj' refused to set off the ten acres or any part
thereof." The joint petition of the committee and selectmen
of I^yndeborough, therefore, invoked the decision of the um-
pire. The proprietors in their meeting at Portsmouth, Feb.
22, 1796, duly considered the petition, and voted, That so far
as the interest of the proprietors —

" In the ten acres of land reserved in said Lyndeborough for public
uses ma5' be, they confirm the location thereof in Lot numbered seventy,
in the second division of lots, including the land where the meeting
house is now placed.

Attest George Jaffrey, Proprietors' Clerk.

Not very destructive lightning this, for either party to the
contest. The committee and selectmen conjoined made report
of this response from the proprietors, which report was accepted,
and Capt. William Button, Dr. Daniel Russell and Mr. John
Ordway were chosen a committee to attend to the matter in
whatever way the}' shall think best for the town, and report as
soon as may be.

This new committee reported at the annual meeting. Mar. 7,
1797, and presented a plan of the ten acres reserved by charter
for public use in this town, and that the same may have the
incumbrances moved off and be for the use of the town accord-
ing to charter, proper measures being pursued.

The annual meeting in 1798 met for its adjourned session.
Mar. 12, and heard the report of the committee and accepted it.
Voted to proceed with the lawsuit against Major Daniel Gould,
and chose Capt. William Dutton as agent to carry it on.

A protest was again entered, in the same words as before, but
by different signers, whose names follow : —

Ebenezer Gardner Samuel Pearson

Jotham Blanchard Benjamin Farnum

Eleazer Woodward Edward Bullard

Benjamin Jones, Jr. Timothy Carleton

Abiel Stickney Oliver Holt

Jonathan Pearson, Jr. William Holt

Timothy Pearson Nehemiah Boutwell

A true copy, attest. Jacob Dascomb, T. Clerk.
In 1799, March 18, an effort was made to have the suit with-
drawn from court, and the case once more submitted to referees.
But the measure was negatived, and Capt. William Dutton was
re-elected agent to carry on the suit.

328 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Again, Sept. 30, 1800, the town voted " to further pursue the
lawsuit with Major Gould, and chose Capt. Button, lyieut. Clark
and Uriah Cram a committee to proceed according to their dis-
cretion in the matter."

But at the adjourned portion of the annual meeting of 1801,
held on March 23, proposals were received from Major Gould in
the following language : —

" The subscriber being apprehensive that the further continuing the
loug and expensive lawsuit respecting the ten acres of land, &c., will not
be attended with any very advantageous circumstances either to the
Town or himself, makes the following proposals to the Town, (viz.) that
if the Town shall think fit to drop the action and pay their own cost — I
will pay mine — and will give the Town a Deed of all the land I now
claim that now lays common, with the addition of all the land there is or
will lay East of the line and west of the Road. Beginning at the North-
west corner of the Pound, from thence about three rods west to a stake
and stones, from thence southerly to a stake supposed to be on the line
between Major Gould and land of Mr. Boutwell ; thence easterly on the
line of said land, until it strikes the county road, the Town being at the
cost of moving the wall and fencing the premises,"

I,yndeborough 23"^ March, 1801. Daniel Gould.

The town chose Benjamin Jones, Esq., Capt. Wm. Clark,
Solomon Cram, Capt. Aaron I^ewis and Ensign Oliver Perham
to confer with Major Daniel Gould and consider the proposals.
These were accepted by vote of the town, and Dr. Benjamin
Jones, Deacon Aaron Lewis and Capt. William Clark were
chosen a committee to authenticate the business and report to
the town within eight days, and the meeting adjourned to the
30th inst. at I o'clock p. m.

On reassembling, March 30, 1801, the town voted to accept the
deeds and have them recorded on the town records previous to
their being recorded on the county records ; and also authorized
Capt. William Dutton "to take the lawsuit out of the law, " after
which the meeting was dissolved.

Thus ended the tedious, evidently heated and expensive
dispute.

MINISTERIAL LANDS.

By each charter of the town, whether from Massachusetts,
the Masonian proprietors or the provincial governor, Benning
Went worth, one whole right or share in the sixty-three lots,
into which the town was originally divided, was reserved for the
support of the ministry. This share included from two hundred
and sixty to three hundred and twenty ^cres, and a proportional

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 329

part with the other shares in any common or undivided lands
which might remain in the town. These lands at first were not
very productive. But as the population of the town increased,
the lands became more valuable.

In 1802 the town voted to sell all the ministerial lands in this
town on the following conditions,* viz. : —

"That if Mr. Goodridge will give the Town an acquittance of all his
right and title to said premises " * * * " the Town will give him one half
of the interest of the money that may arise upon the sale of said lands
yearly, so long as he performs the work of the ministry in said Town, and
that Mr. Goodridge clear the premises of all incumbrances by any person
or persons improving any of said premises, and that a commitee be
chosen to again wait on Mr. Goodridge and report to the Town as
soon as may be." At a subsequent meeting, on Mar. 22, 1802, this com-
mittee reported ; that " Mr. Goodridge will comply with the vote of the
Town at their last meeting respecting said lands " and the town voted
"to sell all the ministerial lands in this town at public vendue " and
"Jacob Dascomb, William Clark, & Joseph Epes, 2nd., were chosen a
committee to effect the sale."

Six lots of excellent land, containing about 360 acres, were
sold at public vendue at the house of Mr. James Ordway, inn-
holder, on Thursday, Apr. 29, 1802. The proceeds of the sale
amounted to $2,621. The committee received good security for
the several sums, and for the punctual payment of the interest ;
and the town faithfully fulfilled their agreement with their
pastor.

At the May meeting in 1805, a vote was passed that the in-
terest of the ministerial land money be paid to the treasurer of
the town, to be appropriated for the use of the town.

Presumably, the question of the right to do thus may not
have been raised. They may have been embarassed by their
abundance of ministerial funds, and carelessly voted to apply
them to more urgent needs of the town, as on the previous year
they voted a portion of the ministerial forfeiture money " for
the repairs of the meeting-house, if needed. t

Apparently, some disturbing influence intervened at this time
to affect their deliberate action.

In 1806, on account of bodily infirmity, Mr. Goodridge re-
signed the pastorate, and the town voted him one hundred dol-
lars, annually, toward his support during his natural life. He
did not long enjoy this annual .stipend ; for he passed to his
eternal reward on town, meeting day, March 14, 1809, an event

♦Town Records, II, 409. tT. R. Ill, p. 26.

330 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

on which the town clerk, Nathan Wheeler, made the following
record : — *

" After the votes for Governor were counted the melancholy news of
the death of our former pastor, the Rev. Sewal Goodridge, was brought
into the house by Dn. Peter Clark, upon which the town passed the fol-
lowing votes or resolutions, —

1. Voted unanimously to assist the bereaved family at the funeral & in
burying our Reverend Pastor, Mr. Goodridge.

2. Voted to choose a committee of seven.

Chose Dn. Clark, Dn. Huston, Dn. Lewis, Dr. B. Jones, Capt. Wm.
Clark, Lt. Jacob Richardson & Capt. Jonas Kidder for said Committee.

3. Voted that the Committee be instructed to bury the Rev. Mr. Good-
ridge in a decent, respectful & ministerial manner, to send to & request
all the Ministers to attend, make provision for their entertainment, &
pay all funeral charges, except the mourning garments of the family."

The most unfeigned thanks of Mrs. Goodridge and family
were presented to the town for the respect shown to the memorj^
of her late husband and their father at the adjourned meeting,
Mar. 21, 1809.1

After the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Goodridge, the church
called three pa.stors in succession, Mr. Jesse Fisher, Rev. Abra-
ham Randall and Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby. + But difficulties
arose concerning each of these, and none of them was installed
as pastor. The Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was next called, in
1811, and became pastor. He was ordained Oct. 30, 1811, the
town having concurred with the church in both his call and or-
dination. The town also agreed, " provided he shall relinquish
or quitclaim all right & title to all ministerial charter privileges
in this Town," to give him three hundred dollars as a settle-
ment, payable at the expiration of one year from the time of his
settlement, and four hundred and sixt}' dollars per a7i7iiim, each
and every year that he shall perform the work of a gospel minis-
ter in this town, payable the first of January annually.

This settlement Mr. Merrill seems to have accepted and con-
sidered " liberal for this part of the country." The sermon at
his ordination was preached by Rev. Elijah Parish, D.D,, of By-
field, Mass., and at the next annual meeting the town presented
him their thanks "for his ingenious discourse," requested a
copy of it for the press, and voted to get five hundred copies of
the sermon, charge, and right hand of fellowship printed.

The pastorate of Mr. Merrill was both a long and successful
one. Several causes, however tended to disturb its closing
years. Baptist, Universalist and Christian societies sprang up

*T. R. lU, p. 136. tT. R. Ill, p. 139. Xr. R., Ill, pp. 96, 142, 174.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 331

during his ministry, and doubtless bore their part in causing
some disturbance. But some people who were not connected
with either of these expressed dissent from his preaching and
refused to be taxed for his support. About that time, also, the
legislature passed an act permitting dissenters from the ministry
of any church to pay their ministerial taxes toward the support
of any regular minister whom they preferred. By this act they
were relieved from being taxed to support preaching with which
they had little or no sympathy.

These incidents lead us by no very long road to another point
from which to view "the ministerial fund." The Congrega-
tional Church, the first in town, and so long as it remained the
only one, had sole and unquestioned right to the use of that
fund. The land was undoubtedly granted for the support of the
ministry in accordance with the narrow view of the ministry
held by Massachusetts, the original grantor. Was it, therefore,
necessary that New Hampshire, always less bigoted, should be
cramped by her example and precedent ? When other relig-
ious bodies sprang up in town, was the Congregational Church
still to be the sole recipient of the ministerial benefice ? For a
brief period it enjoyed this advantage. But, in process of time,
three other bodies were organized in town, and were the.se to b^
utterly excluded from any share in this fund ? Obviously not,
according to their opinion and purpose. Relieved by a law of
the state from being taxed to support a mini.stry from which
they dissented, were they not entitled to share with others in the
public funds of the town set apart for the preaching of the Gos-
pel ? They assumed the affirmative of this question, and peti-
tioned the town for a share of it.

In 1830, the warrant for the annual meeting makes first men-
tion of the Baptist denomination as an applicant for a propor-
tional part of the interest of the mini.sterial fund.* To this
application there was added a P . S. which requested that "all
the religious denominations might have a share of the interest
in proportion to their taxes. The town voted "to di.smiss the
article."

In 1 83 1, the different denominations do not appear as such
on the records.

But in 1832, the Baptist society repeated their application,
and were treated as before.! In response to another repetition
of their request for a division of the interest of the ministerial

*T. R. IV, pp. 103 and 106. t T. R. IV, p. 155.

332 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

fund at the annual raeetinpj in 1833, the town voted "not to
divide the interest of the ministerial fund."* On the loth of
April following, the town voted to give "the whole of the
ministerial fund so called " to " the P'irst Congregational Ortho-
dox Society," with the exception of twenty-five dollars which
was to be paid annually to the Baptist society, upon similar
conditions and restrictions to those required of the Congrega-
tional body. The latter, however, might according to vote,
" retain said fund Ninet^mine years." " Yeas 67, Nays 58."

Again in 1834, a petition was presented requesting a division
of the ministerial interest money between the different religious
denominations in proportion to their several valuations, pro-
vided they expend the same for preaching within the limits of
the town. This petition was signed by,

Jonathan Putnam Samuel Hartshorn

Ephraim H. Putnam John Hartshorn 2nd

Ephraim Putnam 2ncl William Perham

Eliezer Putnam Andrew Harwood

Jonathan Putnam Jr. Asa Blanchard

Israel Putnam Daniel Blanchard

Thomas Bradford James Pearsons

Albert Hardy David K. Holt

Solomon Cram David Perham

Joseph Cram John Carson

Daniel Cram Joshua Baldwin

Henry Cram James L. Clark
James Cram and

In response to this request, the town voted to divide the in-
terest of the ministerial fund between the several religious de-
nominations in this town, agreeable to a petition." t

Nov. 28, 1834, after granting the above petition, the town
voted to revoke the action of April 10, 1833, which gave the
entire fund, except $25 annually, to the "Congregational
Orthodox Society," + for ninety-nine years.

On Sept. I, 1835, voted to raise a committee of nine, § " to
hear proposals for a compromise with the First Congregational
Orthodox Society " respecting this fund. The committee
chosen were Edniond Perkins, Daniel Putnam, James Cram,
2nd., Jonathan Putnam, Jr., Thomas Kidder, Joseph Chamber-
lain, Benjamin Jones, Israel H. Goodridge, and Oliver Whit-
ing. At an adjourned meeting of the town, on Sept. 5, this
committee reported,

*T. R. IV,pp. 189 and 190. \T. R. n% p. 209.

JT. R. IV, p. 220. §T. R. IV, p. 246.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 333

"That said Society propose that they will give Bonds by an authorized
committee to restore the funds iu questiou to the town Treasury with all
the interest after December next, as soon as a tax shall be raised and
assessed by legal vote on the polls and estates in said town to defray the
debts and charges of said Town, whose proportion on residents shall be
nearly equal to the fund, and that said town shall vote to distribute said
funds among the inhabitants of all denominations in said town in pro-
portion to their ratable valuation."* And your committee recommend
the adoption of the above terms.

Edmond Perkins, for the Committee
The Society's Committee acquiesce in this report.

N. Boutwell, for said Committee.
On the same day the "Bond" embodying these specifications was
given and signed by the Committee of the First Congregational Ortho-
dox Society.

Nehemiah Boutwell
Joseph Jones
David Woodward

The whole proceeding was dul}'^ recorded by Israel Herrick,
town clerk. t

In accordance with this action of the town and societies in
Sept., 1835, it was voted at the annual meeting, March 8, 1836,
t " That the ministerial fund be distributed to each town-inhabitant in
proportion to his poll and estate by orders drawn on the Treasurer by
the Selectmen at their discretion."

This seems to have been acceptable to all parties interested in
the ministerial fund.

When the matter was first broached of giving to those who
differed in "religious sentiments" from Rev. Nathaniel Mer-
rill, their equal proportion of the interest of the public minis-
terial fund, in 182 1, the idea seemed somewhat novel; and the
town voted very wisely, to refer it to the selectmen, to act agree-
able to the charter. It began, then, to be common for the
selectmen to receive such notices as follows : " This may cer-
tify that I differ in religious opinion from the Rev. Nathaniel
Merrill, and object to you or your successors in oflSce hereafter
taxing my poll or estate towards the support of preaching in
this town." § These shafts seemed to be pointed at the person,
Mr. Merrill, rather than at the principle, which of course he
represented. The records indicate, first, a reluctance of the
town towards dividing the ministerial fund ; then, later, a dis-
position to make some concession in regard to it ; and finally, a
vote to grant fully the petition of those dissenting in religious
views and sentiments from the majority.

*T. R. IV, p. 247, tT. R. IV, pp. 251 and 252.

X T. R. IV, p. 263. § Invoice Book 1809-1822. I,ast written page.

334 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

When men began to take advantage of the law which per-
mitted them to pay their ministerial taxes towards the support
of any minister in town, whom they preferred, an inquiry in the
warrant for town meeting. May 17, 1819, "to see whether the
town will exempt any persons from paying toward the support
of the Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, the present year," was answered
by a vote of the town, "that the Selectmen exempt all those
persons" from paying to his support, "who are exempt by
law."

DISTINCTION BETWEEN CHURCH AND TOWN.

In the year 1819, * two members of the Congregational
church had for some cause been excommunicated, and felt
aggrieved and wronged by the action of both church and pas-
tor. They attempted to get the proceedings of the church, in
their case, reviewed, but failed to elicit any response in regard
to the matter, from either pastor or people. They then sought
to call a council, either mutual or ex parte, but in this both
pastor and church treated them with the same disregard as
before.

They next petitioned the selectmen to call a town meeting.
This was done, and the meeting so far sympathized with their
wish as to vote to join with them in calling a council. The
day was set for the meeting. lyctters of invitation had been
sent to divines in Massachusetts as well as to some in neighbor-
ing parishes.

But another town meeting was called to review the action of
the last one. By this a committee was chosen to ascertain what
expense had been thus far incurred in regard to the proposed
council. The committee reported that " the bills were so
various and scattering," that it was difficult to ascertain what
sums had been expended. But as the expenses were probably
increasing, they thought it "advisable for the town to take
measures to prevent their growing to a larger sum."

At this report the meeting grew noisy and disorderly, and the
town clerk, Daniel Putnam, Esq., adjourned the meeting, and
left his seat. But on the persuasion of some friends he resumed
his place ; order was restored, and the meeting passed the fol-
lowing votes :

1. To dismiss the committee chosen at the last Town-meeting from
any further duties in their oflBce ; and

2. To choose a committee to inform those* invited to attend an ex
parte council, that the town has no business to lay before them."

*T. R. Ill, p. 284.

ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS 335

It is little to be wondered at, that the aggrieved party should
think the town entitled to interfere in their case. So intimate
had been the connexion between the town and the church that
the boundaries separating them were not clearly and unmis-
takably perceived by the citizen of only ordinary intelligence.
The town had built the meeting-house, was taxed for its main-
tenance and support, for the salary of its pastor, and had the
supervision and trusteeship of its ministerial lands and of the
income derived from them. Why should not the town inter-
pose if one of its taxable inhabitants feels himself wronged by
thie acts of church and pastor ? Why not join with an ag-
grieved person in calling a council to act as an impartial arbiter
in the difficulty ? The question may be more easily presented
than decided, among those trained under a practical union
of church and state. It was fortunate for the town that at that
juncture, she had some citizens who perceived that the town as
such, had no proper right or authority to meddle with the in-
ternal affairs of the church ; and that those citizens extricated
themselves and all concerned, so speedily and effectually from
a disagreeable and perhaps protracted ecclesiastical tangle, by
informing those who had been invited to attend a council, that
"the town had no business to lay before them." The knot
was cut, and the ends were allowed to straighten of their own
accord.

SETTLING ACCOUNTS WITH PASTOR.
The depreciation of the national currency in war time, as well
as the disturbance connected with the agitation in the northwest
part of the town, complicated the situation very considerably
for the pastor, Rev. Sewell Goodridge, and added both to his
work and worry. There were two points on which he seemed
to expect somewhat more in the way of pecuniary consideration ;
namely, his loss by depreciation of currency, and also his extra
labors in that part of lyyndeborough which was in a turmoil to
be incorporated as Greenfield. His people felt that they were
common sufferers in the depreciation ; and they understood that
he had consented with them to render freely his ser^ace to that
portion of his flock living in the northwest of the town, bearing
with the inconveniences which resulted from the truce on which
they had agreed. A settlement was effected in 1793, the record
of which need not be spread here. The differences of view,
through mutual kindness and forbearance, were measurably har-
monized and a full and satisfactory- conclusion reached, while

336 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

mutual friendship and respect were preserved and became
permanent.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE.

Most of the people in those days were accustomed to attend-
ing church. On Sunday mornings the roads would be filled
with people on their way to the sanctuary, and the church used
often to be filled to overflowing.

Such a condition of things reflects dishonor on our own
times of disregard for church attendance, and devotion to de-
basing worldly pleasures on the sacred day. In some impor-
tant respects, at least, " the former days were better than these."

BAPTIST CHURCH.
SOUTH LYNDEBOROUGH.

CHAPTER XV.

History of the Baptist Church.

by rev. d. donovan, pastor.

The formation of a generally accepted church of Christ in a
community is often a matter of great and far-reaching import.
A sketch of such a body which has existed even three-fourths
of a century will hardly seem,

" As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean."

The successors of those who organized it will regard the rec-
ord as a memorial of the consecration of its founders, and may
be incited by the story to imitate their virtues.

There are rumors that Baptistic notions or opinions infected
the pure minds of even some of the pioneers of Lyndeborough.
But, it will never answer to found a history on mere rumor.
Positive diversity of religious sentiment manifested itself un-
mistakably in 1818. About the year 1819, a law was enacted
which excused men from taxation for the support of preaching
with which they were out of sympathy. They were taxed still,
but allowed to pay their taxes for the support of the ministry
wherever they preferred. Upon notifying the selectmen of
their preference, they could be excused from taxation to sup-
port the regular ministry of the town, as it was then considered.
In accordance with the above law, we find on the tax book for
18 19, the statement :

" The following persons have produced certificates from ' The Baptist
Society,' that they are regular members of the same, and are therefore
exempt by law from paying toward the support of Rev. Nathaniel
Merrill; viz: Samuel Pearson, Samuel Hartshorn, John Wellman, Jr.,
Jacob Flinn, Israel Burnham, Parker Burnham, Eli Holt, Moses Pearson,
William Richardson, Jr., Solomon Cram, Samuel Ellingwood, Ira S.
Ellingwood, Levi Curtis."

Twenty-nine other names are recorded as exempt from taxa-
tion for the support of Mr. Merrill on account of their religious
sentiment; and in 1821, twenty-eight were "excused from
Minister Tax."

The following year another name was added to the last list,
and David Putnam was excused from paying minister tax, ' ' on
account of being a Baptist."

338 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

The lists here referred to are by no means irrelevant to our
sketch. The statements which accompany them indicate the
existence of a Baptist society ten years before the organization
of this church, and point to the presence of one man who was
known as a Baptist seven years before its recognition. Some of
the names which appear on those lists were, at a later day, in-
scribed on the roll of the Baptist church.

The first Baptist preaching in town which resulted in con.
versions was that of Rev. Joseph Elliott of Mason. He held
services in the dwelling of Mr. Moses Pearson in 1825, when
the audience filled the house, and overflowed to seats under the
noble elms in the front yard. Mr. Pearson's children, William
and Susan, became converts and were baptized in the Rocky
River, west of the house. So far as known, they were the first
persons baptized in that stream. They united with the Baptist
church in Wilton.

Occasional services were continued, Caleb Brown, Bela Wil-
cox, and Mr. Elliott sharing in them. Soon a subscription was
circulated for the support of preaching, and the money raised
was expended in the various school districts in proportion to
the sums which each paid. Thus the people maintained preach-
ing as they could for a few years. Rev. Simeon Fletcher of Wil-
ton was for a few months their stated supply about that time.

Finally, Dec. 10, 1829, a council, consisting of pastors and
delegates from the churches in Milford, Wilton, New Boston
and Hillsborough, was convened to recognize this church, if
thought proper. The council met at the residence of Daniel
Putnam, Esq., now the parsonage. The Rev. Charles Cum-
mings of Hillsboro' was chosen moderator, and Rev. Caleb
Brown, of Wilton, clerk. David Putnam and Daniel Cram
were chosen by the proposed church as its representatives, and
the former had been chosen deacon provided the council should
decide on recognition. The council decided ' ' to constitute
them into a distinct church." Recognition ser\'ices were held
in the school house, and some of the parts were assigned as
follows : Sermon, Rev. Samuel Everett, Milford ; Hand of
Fellowship, Rev. John Atwood, New Boston ; charge to the
church, Rev. Charles Cummings of Hillsboro. Fifteen of the
members came from the church in Wilton, viz. : Moses and
Susanna Pearson, David and Tryphena Putnam, Job and
Betsey Swinington, Elijah and Alice Upton, Daniel and Rhoda
Cram, Benjamin and Abigail Holt, Abigail EUingwood, Joseph

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 339

Marshall, and Ebenezer Gardner. Six others came from the
church in Milford ; viz : Samuel and Abigail Persons, John and
Betsey Wellman, and Micah and Hannah Hartshorn.

These founders of the church were, at least, people of aver-
age intelligence, actuated hy their convictions of duty, and
ready to make sacrifices, if necessary, to carry them out. To
this end, they wrought and taught, not factiously, but with
manifest piety and sincerity.

Their meetings were held for a time in the school-house.
Prosperity attended them. Congregations increased, and at
times were larger than the house could hold. Then in the
warm weather, they would meet in the grove back of the school
house, and arrange temporary seats, while many would sit
around on the rocks. Mr. Cummings became their first pastor.
He was a man of stentorian voice who could easily be heard
over on the road to Wilton, and awaked the echoes. He was
an agent of the Domestic Missionary Society, and " was instru-
mental in organizing churches in Keene, Swanzey, Marlboro,
Peterboro, Hillsboro, Lyndeboro, and Antrim." *

Their success is thought to have awakened envy, so that
when wishing to hold a meeting at one time, the school-house
key could not be obtained, or " found " as it was said. This was
taken as a practical refusal of the use of the house. At that
time Mr. Ebenezer Pearson opened his house for their meetings
through the winter, and they laid their plans to build a meeting-
house. This was in the winter of 1831.

Having decided to build, popular opinion was somewhat
divided as to the best place for the house. Some favored the
center of the town, some Johnson's corner, and some Putnam
Corner, now South Lyndeborough. Deacon David Putnam and
other prominent citizens strongly favored the latter place, and
thought more help could be obtained for building here than
elsewhere. It was decided to test this opinion, and contribu-
tors to the enterprise were requested to express their preference
for the place. The heaviest subscriptions came from those who
preferred South Lyndeborough, and this settled the question,
and work was at once begun here.

In aid of it Mr. Ephraim Putnam, 2nd, though a Universalist
in sentiment, gave them the lot on which to build, and he, to-
gether with Deacon Putnam, cut and drew the first timber from
his own woods. Miss Sarah Stephenson gave twenty-five stand-

* Child's Gaz. of Cheshire County, p. 404.

340 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

ing trees from her wood lot. Others gave labor in cutting the
trees into logs and drawing them to the mill. Captain Israel
Putnam gave a part of the sawing. Deacon Smith of Wilton
made the frame. The raising, of course, was a matter of un-
usual importance. The subject of temperance had then re-
ceived little attention ; hence, among the incidental expenses
was a little bill for two and a half gallons of rum with the
molasses needed to make it palatable, indispensable at raisings
in those days. The raisers partook somewhat of the spirit of
the times.

The house was duly covered, and the inside work was done
by Josiah Wheeler of I^yndeborough. The ladies subscribed
money and secured the pulpit, but funds for the building of the
pews were wanting, and planed seats were used for a few years
to take their place. Finally, Deacon Putnam and Franklin
Hadley hired the pews built and became jointly responsible for
the expense of them.

Thus the house was finished. It stood in the northeast angle
formed where the road from South Lyndeborough to Temple
is crossed by the Forest road. The exact spot is very near
where the railroad from Wilton crosses the Temple road, in
front of the railroad station. The house was dedicated Oct. 8,
1836, Rev- Dura D. Pratt of Nashua preaching the sermon.

The people were not able to support a regular pastor. They
obtained supplies for their pulpit as they were able. The Rev.
Leonard Kimball supplied them eleven Sundays in 1836. The
Rev. John Atwood of New Boston served them at different
times as stated supply, in periods varying from a few months to
two or three years. He seems to have baptized some of the first
converts received by the church. One of these was David Bur-
roughs, who was licensed by this church and spent sixty-five
years in the ministry. Rev. John Woodbury was pastor in 1838,
Joshua Currier in 1839 and Joseph Sargent in 1840.

Others who supplied in the early years of the church's exis-
tence a few weeks or months, as the case might be, were Miles
Bronson, afterwards a missionary in Assam, W. B. Kelley,
George Daland, Joseph Davis, S. C. Pratt, Willard Glover,
Henry Archibald, Frederick Page, Joseph C. Foster, late asso-
ciate editor of " The Watchman," W. C. Richards, M. L. Bick-
ford, Phineas Richardson, Amzi Jones and John Atwood.

The labors of these men were blessed, for in the ten years

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 341

after the organization of the church about forty new members
were received.

TRIAI^S.

In 1840, serious troubles arose. Cases of discipline occurred.
Some members were excluded, .some dropped, and some were dis-
missed to unite elsewhere. Soon after this, Rev. John Atwood
again became their stated supply, serving two or more years.
About that time G. W. Hutchin.son, a preacher of the Christian
order appeared on the scene. He was wonderfully successful.
Some of the Baptists, both men and women alike, were capti-
vated b}' him. They united with the church which he organ-
ized, and thus the Baptist membership was diminished in num-
bers and in ability to maintain preaching. Naturally enough,
they were discouraged. Moreover, some members of the Bap-
tist society seemed ready to hand over to this new body the
property of the church. The new body was given the use of
the meeting-house at a merely nominal cost. But this was not
enough. They began to assume, at least, qtcasi ownership of it.
Thus the matter stood for a time. The Baptists were doubtless
annoyed and uneasy, but were tolerably quiet. Mr. Hutchinson
was in the place a few years and won quite a following. But one
fine morning he was missing and could not be found. He had
vacated his apartments and forsaken his flock in the night, and,
as a consequence, his church suffered a fatal collapse. That his
entire course injured the Baptist church will be readily assumed
and promptl}^ conceded.

SURVIVAL.

The church, though greatly weakened, did not see fit to dis-
band or die. It made an attempt at recovery. L,ike a tempest-
tossed, badly lurched ship, with twisted rigging and torn can-
vas and diminished crew, the old church shifted ballast, righted
position, and turned her prow once more toward the sunlight and
the desired haven. This occurred in the year 1849.

Early in 1850, the church called Rev. D. P. French, one of
her own licentiates, as her pastor. He gathered the scattered
flock and received some new accessions, but remained with them
only a year. He left them, however, in much better condition
than he found them.

For about three years, again, Rev. John Atwood became
stated supply. He is kindly remembered for his good services
to the church. In 1854 the church invited Mr. E. J. Emery to

342 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

their pastorate. He was here ordained, received several new
members, and remained with them about three years, the long-
est continuous service up to that time.

The Rev. T. Clarkson Russell preached several weeks in
1858, and is pleasantly remembered. A call was that year ex-
tended to Rev. Joseph B. Mitchell of Guilford, Vermont. He
accepted, and in his brief pastorate of about two years, received
a goodly number of new members, one of whom has served as
both deacon and clerk for many years. The labors of Rev.
John Peacock of Amherst followed for several months and were
fruitful in adding seventeen new members to the church.

From 1861 to 1864 Rev. Asaph Merriam, an aged, devotod
servant of God, served as stated supply. From that time
to 1870, the desk was supplied mainly by students from the
Newton Theological Institution, among whom were J. H.
Gannett, Joseph Pollard, Isaiah Record, and later, George T.
Raymond and Asa L,. Lane.

The next regular pastor, E. J. Whittemore, came to the
church in 1871, received several additions to the membership
and resigned in 1873.

The Rev. E. H. Watrous was next called, but failing to find
a suitable residence in the place, he felt compelled to decline the
call.

The Rev. David Gage then supplied for a time, encour-
aged the people much, and urged them to try to secure a parson-
age. This they did at a cost of $1,500. About this time the rail-
road came through the place, the glass factory was in operation,
and the population was larger, and there was more money in cir-
culation than there had been in previous years or than there
has been since.

That year, 1874, Rev. S. B. Macomber settled with the
people as pastor. He received a number of new members ; but
closed his labors with the church in about two years.

The Rev. William R. Warner became his successor in 1876.
The committee of the Young Men's Christian Association as-
sisted him in a revival effort which resulted in the largest acces-
sion ever received in a single year. Twenty-nine were bap-
tized and eight were received by letter. Mr. Warner remained
with the church only about two years.

Rev. H. G. Hubbard, a faithful man and a sound evangeli-
cal preacher, succeeded Mr. Warner. Mr. Hubbard's work for
the church, as expressed by his son, " consisted largely of

^L^;>^P^L.{rvT^<y^^. £iii.<l/^.

^^^^^/^^Z..,;^^^^^!^^^^?^^

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 343

pruning and weeding out a growth too rank and unfruitful."
He continued with them about four years."

Soon after his departure Rev. Gay lord B. Smith accepted
a call. During his pastorate the young people gave enter-
tainments to raise money for building a vestry. Sixty-five dol-
lars were secured and placed at interest. Mr. Smith was much
esteemed by the community. He was a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and was chosen chaplain of Harvey
Holt Post, No. 15. He was cho.sen town representative to the
General Court. He closed his labors early in 1886, having
accepted a call to Jamestown, R. I. He died Feb. 4, 1905, at
East Wrentham, Mass.

For a few weeks afterwards, Rev. D. M. Cleveland, mission-
ary of the Baptist State Convention, labored here. A gen-
eral interest was awakened, and some hopeful conversions
followed.

In April, 1886, Rev. D. Donovan, after preaching for a few
Sundays, accepted a call and commenced labor with the church
in July, and is still pastor, through the grace of God and
favor of the people. There have been no great accessions to the
church. Many of our faithful and devoted members have been
called up higher.

A BRANCH CHURCH.

This church organized a branch in Greenfield in 1839. It
numbered nine members, and continued its operations there
about three years. But in the trying period before mentioned,
the members of that body, at their own request, were again re-
ceived into the parent church. It doubtless seemed wiser then
for all to unite and work together.

LICENTIATES.

The first person licensed by the church was also the first
baptized into its fellowship, after its organization, that was
David Burroughs, a native of Lyndeborough. He was ordained
in Plymouth, Vt., in 1834, and after serving in various pastor-
ates in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, removed
into the state of New York. He died at Painted Po.st, N. Y.,
Aug. 30, 1898, after a servnce of 64 years in the ministry.

David P. French, also a native of Lyndeborough, and first a
member of the Congregational Church at the centre, was the
next. He became a Baptist while a student at Oberlin College,
Ohio, and was received by letter from the Baptist church in

344 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Columbia, Ohio, 1837. He was licensed in 1838, and twelve
years later, rendered this church excellent service as pastor
for one year. He died in Nashville, Illinois, April 29, 1886.

Third among these was Jason Putnam, eldest son of Deacon
Putnam. He was licensed in 1838, was considered a young
man of great promise and was pursuing a course of ministerial
study. He died deeply lamented, at the age of twenty-three.

A fourth was Charles Wilder of Peterboro, whose name was
on record as supplying the desk about 20 years before. His
license bears date of March, 1890. He rendered friendly and
gratuitous assistance, not only to his own, but also to other
pastors, both of his own and other denominations in the county.
He died July 26, 1900, at his home in Peterborough, having
made a generous bequest to the church.

The last who was licensed to preach by the church is W. N.
Donovan, Aug. 6, 1893. He was ordained in South Lynde-
borough, Nov. 3, 1898. He is assistant professor of Biblical
Interpretation, Old Testament, in Newton Theological Institu-
tion, Newton Centre, Mass.

REVIVAI^S.

The church has enjoyed three seasons of special revival. The
first came in 1835, when nineteen members were received bj'
baptism. The second was in 186 1, when under the labors of
Rev. John Peacock seventeen were added to the membership.
The third and greatest was in 1876, when the Rev. WilHam R.
Warner baptized twenty-nine, and received eight others by
letter.

DEACONS.

Those who served the church as its deacons were David Put-
nam, the first person selected for that office, who served two
different periods ; others who held the office in the order named
were Samuel Hartshorn, Jr., Nathan Barnes, John Hartshorn,
David Putnam, Jr., and Samuel S. Cummings. At his first
election, the latter declined the office ; but several years after
he was again chosen and served till his death. David Putnam,
Jr., who now holds the office, has rendered the longest service,
since Jan. 31, 1873, and "won a good standing and great bold-
ness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

CLERKS.

The clerks have been Daniel Cram, David Putnam, Thomas
Kidder, John Hartshorn and David Putnam, Jr., who has also
rendered the longest service as clerk.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 345

THE church's character AND STANDING.
Though the church has never been financially strong, it is
faithful to its pecuniary obligations, and usually prompt in
meeting its current expenses. It is free from debt, united and
benevolent, and occupies a good vantage ground for spiritual
work. Under divine guidance and blessing it has a prospect
of much usefulness.

AID FROM STATE CONVENTION.

In its early years the church relied mainly on its own re-
sources for the support of preaching. The Rev. John Wood-
bury became pastor in 1838 and the State Convention aided in
his support. He remained with the church but one year. They
seem not to have received aid again until Rev. K.J. Whitte-
more became pastor in 1871, and from that time on they con-
tinued to receive aid until 1888. Then, through the liberality
of the members in general, and the special assistance of brother
Charles Wilder, the church again returned to the plan of self-
support, a return in no way distasteful. Mr. Wilder at his
death left a generous bequest to the church. Pending the
settlement of his estate, the church has again received generous
assistance from the Baptist State Convention.

REPAIRS OF CHURCH EDIFICE.

It will be remembered that the meeting-house was dedicated
in 1836. From that time till 1863, hardly anything had been
done to it to improve its condition. It stood on the plot now
occupied by the railroad station, but so close to the highway
which runs east and west that sometimes careless teamsters de-
faced it with their carts.

In 1863 J. H. Tarbell, Esq., gave the church in exchange for
that lot the one on which their meeting-house now stands and
further, assisted them in moving the building. The change was
an advantage, the house was slightly raised upon good under-
pinning, nice stone steps were placed at the entrance, and its
whole appearance much improved.

A few years later Rev. Joseph Pollard, who had supplied the
desk for several weeks, offered the church $200 if the}' would
raise a like sum and expend it in repairs. The offer was thank-
fully accepted and a ladies' circle was formed and commenced
collecting funds. Their enthusiasm infected others, who as-
sisted liberall3^ Mr. Luther Cram gave lumber for the belfry
and E. B. Badger, Esq., a summer visitor at the time, gave the

346 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

fine vane to surmount it. The work proceeded slowly, however,
as the funds could be obtained, Mr. J. H. Tarbell and son gave
the bell, and when the repairs were all finished it was found
that $1,700 had been expended, largely called forth by brother
Pollard's generous offer.

Owing, however, to this esteemed brother's protracted sick-
ness and lamented death about that time, the church accepted
but one hundred dollars of the money. They hold his memory
in affectionate and grateful remembrance.

Again, in 1887, quite a complete alteration was made in the
interior of the house. The gallery was removed, and the entry
which was under it was included in the audience room, though
the seatings were not increased. A porch was added in 1888,
and the next year Mr. J. H. Tarbell had the spire built at his
own expense. He also bequeathed the church three hundred
dollars for the erection of a vestry under the main building. To
this sum Mrs. E. C. Tarbell and her son, Walter S., added each
one hundred dollars, and in 1891 the work of building the vestry
commenced. The church was raised six feet above its old
foundation and the work advanced as far as the funds would
permit. To avoid a debt, only a ladies' room was finished at
first, and for three or four years our midweek meetings were
held in this. But in January, 1897, the whole was completed,
and the entire cost of improvements since 1887 must have been
somewhat in excess of two thousand dollars.

THE OWNERSHIP OF HOUSE DOUBTED.

Doubts have sometimes been expressed by outside parties
whether the meeting-house was a Baptist or a union house.
The doubt probably arose from the peculiar situations in which
the church organization has a few times been placed. A state-
ment in regard to these will not here be out of place.

Soon after the erection of the house, the Universalists in the
vicinity secured a pastor to preach for them alternate Sundays
for a year. The hall in which they held their services was un-
comfortably warm in summer, and hence they sought the privi-
lege of using the house a share of the time when it was not
needed by the church. This privilege was cheerfully granted.
It was only a fitting courtesy, for the Universalists as individu-
als had liberally assisted in building it. But as is frequently
said of dwellings, " no house was ever yet large enough for two
families," so it may as truly be said, perhaps, that no meeting-

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 347

house was ever built capable of satisfying two diverse church
organizations or denominations. There was some friction in
consequence of the arrangement. Very likely some people may
have thought the house a union house, and some others may
have wished it so. Sometimes it is an easy step to assume as a
right what is granted as a courtesy. Doubtless there was a con-
flict of beliefs as well as of economic interests ; and so there
was more or less contention as to the real proprietorship.

In 1845, also, after the organization of the so-called Christian
church, some of its adherents assumed a similar right to the use
of the house. A number of these were members of the First
Baptist society, and had a voice in permitting the church prop-
erty then in their custody to be used according to their prefer-
ence or whim. They seemed to exercise their power perversely,
for they let the house to the Christian body one-half of the time,
and twelve pews all of the time for a sum little more than suffic-
ient to pay the hire of the sexton. In this manoeuvring the
Baptists either had their hands tied, or decided to let matters
temporarily alone.

At a still later day members of the Baptist society who had
little sympath)'^ with the church, made an attempt to buy and
get control of a majority of the pews, with the idea of permitting
any denomination which they chose to favor at the time the use
of it. This scheme was also frustrated, as they thought,
through Divine favor and sagacious leadership. They have,
thus, managed and controlled their house from the first, and
with full right, as may appear from the original subscription
paper circulated for building it. A copy of this follows : —

" Lyndeborough Feb. 20, 1832.
We the subscribers agree to pay to the Committee of the First Baptist
Church & Society iu Lyndeborough such sums of money & other articles
as are hereinafter affixed to our names respectively, to be used & ex-
pended by said Committee for the purpose of erecting a convenient meet-
ing-house for the sole use and behoof of the First Baptist Church in said
Lyndeborough forever ; said house to be located on the new road near Mr.
Ebenezer Pearsons', hereby binding ourselves, our heirs, executors & as-
signs to the faithful fulfillment of the same ; In witness whereof we here-
unto set our names & subscribe the following sums."

The names which follow are those of persons prominent in the
communitjs who knew what they wanted and stated their purpose
clearly and unmistakably. There was no simulation or duplicity
in their language. Throughout their course they seem to have

348 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

quietly held to their legal right to their own house as exclusive
and indefeasible.

THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.

The charters of the town all made provision for the support of
the ministry. The minister was to be Orthodox, and all taxa-
ble inhabitants were assessed for his support, however they
might differ from him in religious belief, and were required to
pay their rates. But about the year 1819 a law was enacted
which permitted every man to pay his minister rate for the sup-
port of any minister whom he chose. They must, however,
notify the selectmen of their purpose in order to be excused
from the accustomed tax. (See p. 294.)

In accordance with the above law, we find on the Lyndebor-
ough tax-book for 1819 the statement : " The following persons
have produced their certificates from the Baptist Society that
they are regular members of the same, and are therefore exempt
by law from paying toward the support of Rev. Nathaniel Mer-
rill, viz., Samuel Pearson, Samuel Hartshorn, John Wellman,
Jr., Jacob Flinn, Israel Burnham, Parker Burnham, Eli Holt,
Moses Pearson, William Richardson, Jr., Solomon Cram,
Samuel Elingwood, Ira S. Elingwood, Levi Curtis."

This, we take it, indicates clearly that a Baptist society, suf-
ficient for legal requirements, existed at the time named. This
society seems to have supported preaching in some of the school
districts of the town a number of years before making any effort
to form a church. In the "Farmer's Cabinet" for April 23,
1 83 1, may be found the following : —

Notice

Is HEREBY GIVEN, that WC, MoSES

Persons, Samuel Hartshorn, David Putman and our as-
sociates have formed ourselves into a Societj^ to be known by
the name of the First Baptist Society in L,yndeborough,
agreeably to an act of the legislature, passed July 3, 1827.

Samuel Hartshorn, Clerk.
Lyndeborough^ Mar. 2g, i8ji.

The society assisted greatly in building the meeting-house,
and continued its work for about thirty years. The names of
mau}^ citizens in this part of the town are enrolled among its
members, and by its system of legal requirements it rendered
important service to the church in its business and finances.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 349

ITS SUCCESSORS.

In August, 1873, it seemed necessary to form a new society,
to have charge of the parsonage and provide for other necessi-
ties. This society was constituted wholly of the church mem-
bers, and was consequently smaller than the old organization.
It has had the advantage, however, of having greater unity and
no less eflSciency than the former. This organization in 1897
transferred its responsibility to the church and adjourned sbie
die.

ladies' societies.
In 1836, a young ladies' society was formed to raise funds for
the support of preaching. It was called the ' ' Young Ladies'
Dorcas Society," and at one time numbered about thirty mem-
bers. The president was Miss Submit R. Pearsons, and the sec-
retary, Miss Susanna B. Putnam. This society assisted greatly
the object for which it was formed. But in the trying time of
the Elder Hutchinson movement, it become extinct.

THE I.ADIES' circle.

The present ' ' Ladies' Circle ' ' sprang into existence when
the first repairs on the church were contemplated in 1863. Mrs.
Susanna P. Hartshorn and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Mariette D.
Putnam, were prime movers in organizing it, and at that time
nearly every family in the place was represented in its member-
ship. It still continues its work of procuring funds in various
ways to assist the church wherever the need is greatest. Their
success on the occasion of the celebration of the centennial an-
niversary of The Lafayette Artillery Co., Sept. 9, 1904, gave
them fresh inspiration for continuing their good work. The
last premium paid for the renewal of the insurance on the
church edifice came largely from their treasury.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The Sunday school grew up along with the church. In 1835,
it reported sixty-five pupils and seven teachers, with Deacon
David Putnam as superintendent. In 1863, John Hartshorn was
superintendent, and there were forty-three scholars and six
teachers reported. In 1876 more than 100 scholars were re-
ported, and for more than ten years after that the attendance re-
mained the same. It was prosperous for several years under
the superintendence of Mr. L. P. Jenson, and still continues

350 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

active, though in late years, its number has considerably de-
creased, due in part to the decrease of population in the place.
It has a library of more than five hundred volumes, many of
which are well adapted for Sunday schools. The Sunday school
library, we think, has been used less since the founding of our
town's public library.

BENEFACTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHURCH.

The church has received many tokens of regard, not only
from its own members, but also from others who at various
times became interested in its success. One of the first favors
from people out-of-town was a nice Bible and five dollars in
money from Mrs. Farwell of Cambridge, Mass. Mr. E. B.
Badger of Boston gave forty dollars on the first repairs of the
meeting-house, and also gave the handsome table and rich com-
munion service. He further gave one hundred dollars towards
payment for the parsonage, and the once fine weather vane
which now surmounts our church spire. On the occasion of our
reunion, in 1887, he kindly forwarded to the church his check for
twenty-five dollars. Thus, for many years has he shown inter-
est, awakened first while a summer visitor in the homes of some
of its members. Matthew Bolles, Esq., of Boston also gave one
hundred dollars towards securing the parsonage. Mr. William
R. Putnam and also his brother, Professor Daniel Putnam of
Ypsilanti, Michigan, generously remembered the church at its
reunion in 1887 ; and the former presented us his check for fift}'-
dollars, Dec. 23, 1895, to aid in finishing our vestry. He has
also kindly remembered the church in a bequest not at present
available.

Besides these the church has received legacies from the
friends named below :

Mrs. Isaac Low, Greenfield | 100

Mrs. Isaac Foster, Greenfield 100

Mr. Joel H. Tarbell, Lyndeborough 300

Mr. Orrin Cram 100

Mr. Charles Wilder, Peterborough 5,000

Mr. Byron Putnam of Lyndeborough (conditioned on

keeping his burial lot in repair) 300

THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.

About the same time that the Baptists commenced holding

meetings, the Universalists began to secure preaching. Both

parties expressed dissent from the preaching of Rev. Nathaniel

Merrill, and in much the same way. But the Universalists and

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 351

other dissenters largely outnumbered the Baptists. In fact, it is
said, that those of Universalist sentiments from the three towns,
Lyndeborough, Temple and Wilton, united in the support of
preaching for a time, and that some very able preachers of that
faith were sometimes secured to hold service for them. Their
first meetings were held either in private dwellings or in the hall
over the store.

The town tax book for the year 1819 has the record that
several persons were that year exempted from taxation * ' on
account of their religious sentiment." Among these were
Andrew Harwood, Thomas Bradford, Gideon Cram, Joseph
Cram, James Cram, Jr., James L. Clark, Daniel Putnam,
Lsrael Putnam. Eli Curtis, Jr., Ebenezer Russell, Thomas
Boffee and Nathan Fish. Some of these were men of property
and influential citizens. They had a common sympathy with
the Baptists, on the ground that all had been paying taxes
for the support of preaching by Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, from
whom .some differed in one way and some another. Hence,
the very same copy of " The Farmer's Cabinet" in which the
formation of " The First Baptist Society " was announced, con-
tains, also, the following :

PUBLIC NOTICE

Is HEREBY GIVEN that we

Daniel Putnam, Joseph Cram and Gideon Cram, and our
a.ssociates, have formed ourselves into a Religious Society, to be
known by the name of " The First Universalian Society of
Lyndeborough, and that we shall claim all the privileges that
any other religious society can claim under the Constitution and
Ivaws of the State of New Hampshire.

Daniel Putnam

Clerk of said Society.

Lyndeborough, April 4, 18 ji.

The Universalist people materially assisted the Baptists in
building their meeting-house in 1832. It remained in an un-
finished condition some little time, but was dedicated Oct. 8,
1836. Sometime between the dates given above, the Universa-
list people had obtained a preacher to hold services with them
''one Sabbath in four for six months ^ Before this engage-
ment expired, he was engaged as preacher ''one half of the
time for a year.'' I use the preacher's language, who wrote :

" We occupy a hall near the Baptist meetiug-house. During the sultry
sabbaths of summer, this hall ^&% filled ; and so oppressive was the heat,

352 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

upon one occasion in particular, that we requested and obtained permis-
sion to occupy the Baptist house in the afternoon."*

Many of the Baptists attended the service, and listened to
doctrine at variance with their views, which provoked ill feel-
ing. The two could not walk together, for they disagreed, and
the Baptists recoiled from allowing their house to be used for
the spread of views so contrary to their own. Thus, unfriendly
feeling arose, which possibly hurt the influence of the church,
and within a decade prepared the way for the Elder Hutchin-
son division.

The Rev. C. S. Hussey, the preacher above quoted, seems to
have been a man of good ability. He came to South Lynde-
borough to live, and occupied a house which then stood on the
ground now occupied by the cottage of Mrs. Dorcas A. Holt.
He taught school a few terms here in District No. 3, and was
here when the Baptist meeting-house was dedicated. He re-
moved from town soon after that event, and is said to have gone
to the State of Maine.

The Universalist society had commenced preparations to
build a parsonage on the land now occupied by the summer
cottage of Mrs. Clough of L,ynn, Mass. This work was under-
taken for Mr. Hussey's benefit. His departure disheartened
the project, and the place and building materials collected on
it were sold to the heirs of Major William Richardson, who
built the house which is now occupied by Mrs. Clough. No
Universalist preaching has since been maintained.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

About the year 1844, there came to South Lyndeborough a
preacher of the Christian connection whose name was G. W.
Hutchinson. He commenced holding meetings which were
largely attended and seem to have interested many of the people.
The meetings were held in the Baptist meeting-house, and
several members of the church became constant attendants
upon the services. Some of the members of the First Baptist
Society, also, were so carried away with the new order of
things that they seemed ready to transfer the church property
or meeting-house to the new congregation. Such was the suc-
cess of this movement that on the 23rd of April, 1845, the con-
gregation met at the South I^yndeborough meeting-house to see
what could be done about organizing a church. Elder Hutch-
inson opened the meeting with prayer, followed b)' remarks

*From " The Star in the :east," Concord, N. H., Dec. lo, 1636.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 353

suited to the occasion. He was chosen moderator, and Ezra
Dane, clerk pro tempore. After ascertaining who wished to
unite in forming a church, and whether those so wishing were
in full fellowship with each other, they proceeded to organiza-
tion. The con.stituent members numbered thirteen, whose
names follow :

John F. Holt Ebenezer Pearson Elizabeth Johnson

Matthew Gray Ezra Dane Abigail Holt

Reuben Dutton Mary Karr Abigail Pearson

Obed M. Goldthwait Phebe Goldthwaite Sarah H. Floyd

James M. Floyd.

John F. Holt was chosen deacon and Ezra Dane clerk. The
church thus constituted voted to receive and dismiss members
by majority vote. They also

"Voted to receive Elder Hutchinson as member of this church, and,
Voted to receive Elder Hutchinson as Pastor of this church."

The church continued its meetings for about five years, and
seems to have received a number of members to its fellowship,
one of whom in later life has won a wide and worthy reputation
as professor and educator in the state of Michigan, viz., Daniel
Putnam, A.M., LL.D.

Ezra Dane was church clerk till Mar. 17, 1850, at which time
Joel Tarbell became his successor, and signed letters of dis-
mission for both him and Elder Hutchinson to unite with the
Christian church in East Andover. The record of the dismissal
and recommendation of Ezra Dane to the East Andover church
is the last entry on the church book.

The organization could hardly be otherwise than troublesome
to the Baptist church, which was at the time sufficiently dis-
turbed by internal affairs, as may be seen by a reference to the
latter 's history.

CHAPTER XVI.

The Public Schools of Lyndeborough.

It is a source of regret that our town has not had educational
facilities equal to those of some of her neighbors. Yet, despite
her deficiency in this respect, several of her sons have gone
forth and occupied noble positions among their fellow-men.
Their success may have resulted from the stimulus imparted
to them by parents who prized a liberal education, but were
themselves unable to obtain it, though their love for it never
faltered. But, even in the early records, a commendable appre-
ciation of the value of schools is manifested.

The warrant for the annual meeting in 1770 asked the town to
consider whether they will hire a schoolmistress, and what sum
they will raise for a school.* This called attention to the need
that was felt for it. And, even though the matter was then
negatived, a vote was passed at the next annual meetingt to sell
the school lot to the highest bidder, and appropriate the money
for the support of a school, and George Gould, Benjamin Cram,
and David Badger were chosen a committee to effect the sale.
On the 6th of June following, voted to hire a school kept and to
raise ^12, L. M., for the same, and chose Deacon Ephraim Put-
nam, William Carson, Jacob Cram, William Barron and Josiah
Abbott the committee to carry out the vote.

In 1772 they decided to have a school, and voted ;£i^ for its
support, and chose five men, viz.. Deacon Ephraim Putnam
Robert Badger, William Carson, John Kidder and Nathan Pear-
son the committee to provide for and take care of it.+

The town voted forty dollars for the support of a school in
1773, and the next year £12 was voted for the purpose. §

In 1775, the town voted "to raise ^13, 6s., 8 pence, L. M.,
together with the interest of the money " received for the school
lot, for the support of a school, and chose Edward Bevens, Jere-
miah Carleton, Dea. Putnam, Jr., Andrew Fuller, Dea. Badger,
Joseph Ellinwood, William Thompson and Capt. Spaulding a
School Committee. The school lot No. 126, situated in the
northeast part of the town, was sold to Mr. John Clark for ^67,
IDS., by William Carson, James Boutwell and Amos Whitte-
more, committee.

*T. R., Vol. I, p. 58. tT. R., I, 76. XV. 84. §P. 91, 98.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 355

Voted in 1776 to raise £\2 for the support of a school.* Let
it be borne in mind that war was then raging, and that money
was getting very scarce among our rugged hills. Yet the usual
sum was appropriated for school purposes.

The year 1777 formed a marked era in our town, not only be-
cause of the bravery of her men at Bennington and Saratoga,
but also because of their noble record at home. On Apr. 8, this
year, a vote was passed to divide the town into districts, and
allow each district its proportion of the money raised, t The
work was assigned to a committee consisting of Capt. Levi
Spaulding, Mr. Eleazer Woodward and Mr. William Carson.

Mar. 10, 1778, the town voted to hire a man a year to teach
school in four places. + On May 4 following, they voted to omit
hiring a man as was before decided, and to raise ^100, to be
divided among the 'eight districts in the usual manner.

The next year§ they hired a man to teach in eight parts of
the town, and sufficient money was assessed to pay him for his
services.

At the annual meeting, 1780, it was voted to have a school
kept and divide the town into seven districts in which to keep
it ; and the selectmen were appointed to make the division, and
"provide a proper school- master " ; and the .school was to be
free to the children and servants of all the lawful inhabitants of
the town.

The next year, 1781, they voted one hundred pounds, such as
was lawful money in 1775, to be divided proportionally to the
seven districts, school to be kept an equal time in each, till the
money is expended, and the whole town is to have liberty to
send to any district where school was keeping. ||

In 1782, voted forty pounds for a school, the money to be laid
out in the same manner as last year.t In 1783** one hundred
pounds were appropriated, to be disposed of in the same manner
as last year ; and in 1784, ft fifty pounds were voted to be simi-
larly expended. A like sum was voted for 1785, to be expended
in a like manner, and so till 1787, fifty pounds were voted each
year, and the custom of distributing it equally in the several
districts was kept up.jl

One hundred pounds, including the interest of the invested
schools funds, was to be expended in the usual manner. The
record for the succeeding year indicates some friction of the

*T. R. II, 15. tP. 27. tP-5i- §P-55- IIP- 90- ITP. loi. *»P. no.
TtP. 124. tJPP- 137, 145. 157-

356 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

school machinery, and the town voted fifty pounds to be ex-
pended at the discretion of the districts, if they can agree ; and
if not, it was to be left to the discretion of the selectmen.*

By the next year a law had been passed requiring every town
to expend a certain percentage of their money for the support of
schools. Our town this year voted to add twenty pounds sterling
to the sum required by law.t This looks as though the people
were in full sympathy with the legislative enactment, and some-
what in advance of it. In 1791, a like amount was appropriated,
and for the ensuing two years the annual expenditure was sixty
pounds, t

From 1794 to 1798, inclusive, the town voted eighty pounds a
year ; in 1799, they raised sixty pounds in excess of the interest
on the school funds. In 1800, two hundred dollars, exclusive
of the interest of the school funds, was expended; in 1801,
$333.33 was voted ; and the next year they fell back to $200. In
1803 the sum of eighty pounds was appropriated.

The year 1804, however, may be regarded as commencing a
new era for the common schools. The selectmen were chosen a
committee to set limits to the several school districts. Fifteen
hundred dollars was appropriated for building schoolhouses in
all the districts except the "out corners which could not be
easily convened." There were, as first laid out, in 1777, but
eight districts. This year, 1804, it was voted to district the
town, and proportion the money to be expended justly to each
district, for use in building their schoolhouses. Where any
schoolhouses already stood, they were to remain ; and all were
to be estimated at their real value.

In 1805 there was voted for schools only what the law re-
quired ; but sixty dollars was voted to hire a singing-master to
teach singing in the different parts of the town. In 1806 five
hundred dollars was voted ; and the next year again only what
the law required.

But in 1808, five hundred dollars was raised for the support of
schools, and the selectmen were chosen a committee to set limits
to the several school districts. The report of this committee
can hardly fail to be interesting, because of the light which it
sheds upon the locations of the families which then flourished in
our town. Therefore we reproduce the names of the inhabitants
of the several districts forthwith : —

*p. 1S3. tP- 220. jp. 220.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

357

DISTRICT NO. I.

District No. i to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of

Daniel Badger

Israel H. Goodridge

Samuel Badger

Rachel Badger

Hannah Badger

Eli Curtis

Chase Hadley

And Rachel Sewel and the lands of Perkins & Durant and Eliphalet
Badger, non-residents, and all the polls and estates of all persons who
now or may hereafter reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. II.
District No. 2 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of

Nehemiah Boutwell
George Ashby
David Farrington
Nathan Wheeler
Jacob Richardson
Timothy Richardson
William Clark

Aaron Woodward
Jonas Kidder
John Ordway
Timothy Ordway
Eleazer Woodward, Jr.
Israel Woodward
Nehemiah Rand

John Boffee
Thomas Boffee
Samuel Chamberlain
John Cram

Benjamin Fuller
William Holt
Benjamin Jones
Joseph Jones

Abraham Rose
Abigail Stephenson
John Stephenson
William Stephenson
Eleazer Woodward
David Woodward

Samuel Chamberlain Jr. Ephraim Kidder

Andrew Fuller Joseph Kidder

And the non-resident lands owned by William Putnam, Joseph Elliuwood,

Eleazer Putnam, John Grant and Ebenezer Jones; and also, all the polls

and personal estates of all persons who now or may hereafter reside

within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. III.

District No. 3 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of

John Chamberlain
David Putnam
Timothy Putnam
Daniel Putnam
Ephraim Putnam, Sr.
Ephraim Putnam, 2nd
John Putnam

Benjamin Holt Uriah Cram

Jonathan Chamberlain Henry Cram

Jedidiah Russell, Jr.
Samuel EUinwood
Thomas Lakin
Abel I,akin
Joel Manwell

Pierce & Blood
Oliver Holt
Ebenezer Barrett
Thomas Bradford

Jacob Dascomb

Benjamin Cram 2nd

Benjamin Cram 3rd

Jonathan Putnam

Gideon Cram
And the lands of the following non-residents :
Ruth Blaney Jacob Putnam

Timothy Winn Parker & Emerson

Jonathan Towne Joseph Winn

John Burton James Dascomb

Philip Putnam

And also all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may here-
after reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. IV,

District No. 4 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
Charles Whitmarsh Joseph Epes ist Jacob Manning

Thomas Boardman Joseph Epes 2nd Isaiah Parker

Peter Clark Benjamin Senter Phineas Kidder

Jeremiah Brown Asa Senter Benjamin Goodridge

358 HISTOR V OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Seth Alleu, Jr. Thomas Hutchinson Daniel Gardner

John Proctor John Clark Peter Clark, 2nd

Josiah Brown John Clark, Jr. Osgood Hutchinson

Allen Brown Ebeuezer Hutchinson

And all the lands and estates of the following non-residents :

John Epes Daniel Dane Oliver Holmes

Benjamin Senter, Jr. Moses Fisher Solomon Parker

David & Joseph Lewis

And likewise all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may

hereafter reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. V.

District No. 5 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
Aaron Putnam Enoch Ordway Joshua Sargent

John Woodward Jedidiah Russell John Woodward, Jr.

John Besom Jotham Hildreth Heirs of Wm. Dutton

John Besom, Jr. Moses Pearson

And the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz :
Asa Stiles Samuel Adams Batchelder & Jenkins

Benjamin Thomson David Patterson Thomas Hill

Heirs of Beard Cummings & Kendal Parker & Putnam

Isaac Beard Cross & Goodspeed Amos Flint

And also all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may here-
after reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. VI.

District No. 6 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
Jotham Blanchard Jonathan Pearson Joseph Melendy

Jotham Blanchard, Jr. Ebenezer Batchelder Andrew Harwood
Asa Blanchard Samuel Pearson Jacob Cram

Timothy Pearson Oliver Perham Samuel Hartshorn

Timothy Pearson, Jr. Israel Burnham

And the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz :
Henry Putnam Ebenezer Pearson Patten & Farmer

Joel Spaulding Simeon Blanchard John Batchelder

Benjamin Lewis Ephraim Crosbj^ Timothy Hartshorn

Jacob Flinn Willard Heywood Joshua Jones

Jacob Flinn, Jr. John Parker

And likewise all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may
hereafter reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. VII.

District No. 7 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
John Hagget Jacob Wellman Daniel Pearson

Samuel Butterfield Edward Bullard Jeremiah Carleton

Asa Manning Amos Wilkius Samuel Stewart

Jeremiah Brown, Jr. Robert Parker Aaron Carkin

Israel Brown Jonn Hartshorn Thomas Towne

John Wellman Solomon Cram Eleazer Rhodes

And all the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz :
John Wallace Ezekiel Upton Ebenezer Damon, Jr.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 359

Joseph Wallace Ezekiel Upton, Jr. Amos Elliot

Ebenezer Buxton Conant & Rayment Jesse Fales

Dana & Bell Lot Conant Zephaniah Kittridge

William Marvel Ebenezer Averil Ebenezer Odell

William Wilkins Joshua Burnham Chase & Parker

James Hopkins Jonathan Colburn Widow Rayment

Stearns Needham Ebenezer Damon Wilkins & Towne

Josiah Dodge

And also all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may here-
after reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. VIII.

District No. 8 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
Aaron Lewis Andrew Smith Reuben Dutton

Samuel Huston Joseph Hobbs Aaron Whittemore

Oliver Whiting Henry Spaulding Clark Whittemore

Benjamin Jones, Jr. Daniel Woodward

And the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz :
Ithamar Woodward James Ray Heirs of Isaac Bartlett

And all the polls and estates of all persons who now or may hereafter
reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. IX.

District No. 9 to contain and include all the polls, lands and estates of
Daniel Averil Abraham French George Russell

Nehemiah French David Smith

And the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz :
John Averill John Patterson Joseph Peabody

Jacob Curtis, Jr. Nathan Green

And also all the polls and estates of all persons w^ho now or may here-
after reside within the limits of said district.

DISTRICT NO. X.

District No. lo to contain and include the polls and estates of
Jonathan Butler William Holley Enoch Richardson

Joshua Hadley, Jr. John Thompson

And the lands and estates of the following non-resident owners, viz:

William Read, John Reynolds, Jonathan Bowers for his pasture, east
of Joshua Hadley's, and also all the polls and estates of all persons who
now or may hereafter reside within the limits of said district.

Your committee recommend to the town to annex the District No. lo
to the adjoining district in Greenfield ; provided they can have the same
privileges, be under the same penalties and regulations, with the district
in Greenfield ; that is, have full and equal right to vote in all district
meetings, pa)^ their just and equal proportion of all moneys to be raised
for the repairing and building of school-houses, with the said district in
Greenfield as though they belonged to the town of Greenfield.

And the school taxes on all unimproved, non-resident lands, when
collected and paid into the treasury, we think ought to be proportioned
among the several school districts in the same way as the school interest
money is proportioned.

360 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH.

All which is humbly submitted by your committee,

{Nathan Wheeler
Benjamin Goodridge
Jotham Hildreth

True copy

Attest Nathan Wheeler, T. Clerk.

This report was accepted, and its substance adopted by the
town.

Such was the work of 1809 in regard to the schools. These
limits of the districts enable us to determine, at least approxi-
mately, in what part of the town the persons named resided.

From 18 10 to 181 2, inclusive, the annual appropriation for
schools was 400 dollars. From i8i3to 1817, inclusive, 450 dol-
lars ; and from 1818 to 1820 it was 500 dollars annually, show-
ing an increasing interest in them.

The record of the annual meeting in 181 7 presents the first
mention of a committee to inspect the schools. Rev. Nathaniel
Merrill, Joseph Jones and Aaron Woodward were elected to the
ofl&ce. The two years succeeding that, Rev. Nathaniel Merrill
was the sole incumbent of the office, and was allowed the re-
muneration of fifty cents for each visit. In 1820 Messrs. Joseph
and William Jones were associated with him. He was chosen
annually to fill this position, sometimes definitely named as
chairman of the superintending committee, while the two others
chosen or appointed to act with him were frequently changed.
Among the latter were men remembered by many yet living,
such as Dr. Israel Herrick, Israel H. Goodridge and Israel
Woodward. In 1822 each district was empowered to choose its
own committee, and two years later inspectors of schools were
chosen for each district, with Rev. Nathaniel Merrill as princi-
pal. In 1827 it was voted "That the committee man in each
district accompany him " in his visits.

July 6, 1827, the legislature passed an act by which the
selectmen were authorized to appoint a superintending school
committee. A schedule follows, giving dates, names and
pages of the town records : —

SUPERINTENDING SCHOOI. COMMITTEE.

Page
1828 Rev. Nath'l Merrill Dea. William Jones Dr. Nathan Jones 50

1829
1830
1831
1832
1833

Nathan Jones Israel H. Goodrich 84

(( II

" "

II <{

[1 II

136

William Jones

II 11

157

Israel H. Goodrich

Nathan Jones

192

, PUBLIC SCHOOLS 361

1834 Rev. Nath'l Merrill Nathan Jones Samuel T. Manahan 212

1835 " " " Dr. Israel Herrick Joshua Atwood 240

1836 " Jacob White David Stiles Dr. Israel Herrick 267

1837 " " William Jones, Esq. Jacob Hildreth 296

1838 ,, Benj. F. Clark Rev. John Woodbury David Stiles, Esq. 327

1839 No record

1840 ,, Jacob White Jacob Ilildreth William Jones, Esq. 380

1841 ,, Wm. Richardson " " Joseph Jones, Esq. 416

1842 Jacob Hildreth David Stiles Israel Herrick 451

1843 Rev. Ivory Kimball Dea. William Jones Jotham Hildreth 478

1844 " " " Joseph Jones Daniel Woodward Jr. 508

The latter were appointed, although at the annual meeting it
was voted, " To dispense with the Superintending School Com-
mittee so far as it relates to visiting schools."

Notwithstanding this the selectmen, Daniel N. Boardman,
Samuel Jones and Peter Cram, made the appointment, and the
committee served and made an excellent report of the schools.

For some reason not apparent, there is no record of any appro-
priation for schools in the year 1839, and neither is there any
mention of a superintending school committee. It seems to
have been an "off year."

But in 1840 the town voted to appropriate the interest of the
literary fund and one hundred dollars above w^hat the law re-
quired to the use of the schools. In this year, also, a committee
was chosen, composed of David Stiles, Oliver Whiting, Jacob
Butler, Samuel Hartshorn and David Putnam, to define the
" metes and bounds" of the several school districts. The re-
port of this committee follows : —

REPORT.

School District No. i shall contain the following lots in the second
division, viz., Fifteen lots, No. 56, 57, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75 : 87, 88, 89; 92, 93,
94: 127, 128. Also a strip of the commons lying by the east end of lot
No. 56, sixty rods wide from east to west.

District No. 2. This district shall consist of the following lots in the
second division, viz.. Fifteen lots. No. 55: 58, 59,60; 67, 68, 69: 76, 77^
78 : 85, 86, 95, 96, 103, and the original lot lines shall be the boundaries.

District No. 3 shall contain the following Fifteen lots in the second di-
vision, viz., No. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33: 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 53, 54, &
also the forty rod strip on Wilton Line from lot No. 34 to the first divi-
sion.

District No. 4 shall consist of the following lots in the Second Division,
viz., No. 3, 4, 73, 90, 91, 108, 109, no, 107, 125, 126, also the east half of
lots 106, III and 124, divided through the center.

District No. 5 shall consist of lots in the Second Division numbered 34,
35. 36, 37> 47, 48, 49. 50, 51. 52, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 79, and also lots No. 4 and

362 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

5, in the 3r(l division, and the forty rod strip from the east line of No.
34, to Temple IJne.

District No. 6 shall consist of all the lauds in Lyndeborough south of
the south line of lots No. 37, 38, 39, and of Wayner's Brook (so called)
and all east of said brook and south of Noah Hutchinson's land, which
is situated east of lot No. 22, all in the First Division in said Town, and
East of Wilton Line.

District No. 7 shall contain all the lands situated within the following
boundaries, to wit, Beginning at the Northern corner of lot No. 72, in
the Second Division, thence running East across the common land to lot
No. 5 of the common, thence South on the west line of the square lots to
the North line of the First Division, called Home Lots, thence East to
the northeast corner of lot 55, in said First Division ; thence South on
the East line of said lots to the Southeast corner of said lot, thence East to
Mont Vernon Line ; thence South on Mont Vernon Line to the South line
of Noah Hutchinson's land ; thence west by Wayner's Brook, thence up said
Brook to the line between 24 and 42 of the First Division ; thence West
on said line & on the same course to Wilton East Line, thence on the
North Line of Wilton to the lot No. 34, thence North on the East line of
lot No. 34 to lot No. 44 ; thence West to the East line of the Second Divi-
sion ; thence North on said division line to the Northeast corner of lot
No. 43, called the Manuel Farm ; thence East sixty rods ; thence north
to lot 128; thence East on lot No. 128 & 127, to the Southeast corner
thereof; thence North on East line of lots No. 127 & 72, to the place of
beginning.

District No. 8 shall contain ten lots, numbered 5, 6, 7, 104, 105, 112,
113, 114, 122, 123: also the west half of lots numbered 106, iii and 124,
divided through the center as a division line between District No. 4 and
No. 8.

District No. 9 shall contain six lots, numbered 64, 80, 81, 83, 84, 97,
bordering on the line of Greenfield.

District No. 10 shall contain all the land within the following limits^
to wit, Beginning at the Northeast corner of lot No. 91 in the Second
Division, thence running South on the East line of said division to the
Northeast corner of lot No. 72 ; thence East to the West line of No. 5
and 6 of the commons, thence South on said line to the Southwest corner
of lot No. 8 of the commons ; thence East by the Road to the North,
west corner of lot No. 54, in the first division ; thence South the West
line of 54, to the Southwest corner thereof ; thence East to Mont Vernon
line ; thence North on the Town line to New Boston line ; thence West
on the South line of New Boston to the Southwest corner of said Town,
near the house of Edgar Rand ; thence North on the West line of New
Boston to a stake and stones, directly West of the first mentioned
bounds ; thence West to the place of beginning.

District No. 11 shall begin at the Southwest corner of lot No. 34 of the
first division, thence running North on the Lot line to the Northeast
corner of said lot ; thence West on the Lot line to the East line of the
Second Division ; thence South on said Second Division line to Wilton
Line; thence East on said Wilton line to the place of beginning; and
also the Forty rod Strip by Lot No. 29.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

363

District No. 12 shall coutain Lots numbered i and 2 in the Second
Division and the common land East of said Division from lot No. i
South to the second stone wall, South of Paul Atwood's house ; thence
running East to New Boston line.

All of which is Respectfully Submitted by Your Committee

C David Stiles
Committee J Oliver Whiting
1 Jacob Butler
V David Putnam

The superintending committee consisted usually of the
pastor and two laymen. Its first extended report appears on
the record of the town clerk for the years 1844 and 1845. It
will be a matter of some interest to present for inspection a por-
tion of this report, from eight of the districts :

District No.

Summer,

Scholars

. 35.

Teacher, Miss Ann Jane Nevins,

" "

Winter,

44,

" Not given.

District No.

Summer,

34,

" Miss Elizabeth Karr.

<( <(

Winter,

35.

" David A. Davis.

District No.

Summer,

((

46.

Miss Ruth P. Fletcher.
Miss Grant finished.

District No.

Winter,

46,

" Mr. Thomas S. Corey.

District No.

Summer,

" Miss Martha Hill.

<< ((

Winter,

20,

" Mr. George W. Stevens

District No.

Summer,

15,

" Miss P. J. Mack.

<( («

Winter,

24,

Mr. Simon O. Danforth.

District No.

Summer,

22,

" Miss Sarah Bruce.

(< ((

Winter,

29,

" Miss Mary E. Smith,

Mt. Vernon.

District No.

Summer,

24,

" Miss Martha G. Stevens.

( ( <(

Winter,

39.

Mr. Sylvester Hill.

District No.

Summer,

13.

Miss Martha Hill.

" "

Winter,

17.

Mr. Wm. L. Whittemore,

We shall aim now to give the names of the superintending
committee of schools, and such other occasional notes as may
have special interest for the reader. It is quite a difficult thing
to give a jtist idea of the interest taken in otir schools without
possibly occupying too great space. The printed reports of the
superintending committee would of themselves form quite a
large volume.

In 1 85 1, the town voted " that such part of the Report of the
Superintending Committee of Schools as deemed by them
proper should be printed in pamphlet form, and one copy be
given to each family in town." The superintending committee
were : Rev. E. B. Claggett, John Richardson and Sylvester Hill.
That 5'ear the superintending committee reported, "that the
experiment of trying to sustain a High School in town last
Autumn was successful beyond our expectations. We are
happy to announce the expectation that it will be reopened
next Autumn, under the instructions of the same teacher."

364 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

This refers to Sylvester Hill, who opened a private high school
in the town hall in the autumn of 1850, and continued a term
each autumn for three or four years, when his health failed and
he died. The school was well attended by the young people of
Lyndeborough and was considered a good school. Wm. Cur-
tis, Harvey Perhamand Clara Boutwell were among his scholars.
The same year the school-house in District No. 3 was re-
ported as "ancient and in bad repair." The superintending
committees of 1 852-1 859 were :

1852. Rev. E. B. Claggett, Charles H. Parker, William L. Whittemore.

1853. Rev. E. B. Claggett, Sylvester Hill and Charles H. Parker.

1854. Rev. E. B. Claggett, William L. Whittemore and James Donnell.

1855. Rev. E. B. Claggett.
1857. Enville J. Emery.
i858-'59. Rev. E. B. Claggett.

In 1855 the limits of the school districts were once more
given, as described by James Cram 2nd, agent.

The school-house in District No. 3, in 1859, was reported as
excellent. The new house was probably built in the summer of
1859. The school was kept for a while, when work was pro-
gressing on the school-house, at the dwelling of Mr. John
Hartshorn, on the hill.

By vote of the town, in i860, three persons were chosen super-
intending committee, namely, Rev. E. B. Claggett, William
A. Jones and D. C. Grant.

The town voted in 1861, "to have but one man for Superin-
tending School Committee." William A. Jones was elected,
but declined. The selectmen, later, appointed William A.
Jones, D. C. Grant and Samuel Jones to the office, and they
served.

In the winter of 1861, Mr. George L,. Dascomb of Wilton, a
teacher of twenty-six terms' experience in teaching, was em-
ployed to have charge of the school in District No. 3. He
taught also the following winter in the same school.

The superintending committees from 1862 to 1880, inclusive,
were as follows :

1862. Rev. Asaph Merriam and Daniel Woodward, Jr.
1863 to 1866. William W. Curtis.

1867 to 1870. Rev. E. B. Claggett. When elected he declined ; but served
when appointed by the selectmen.

1871. Rev. E. B. Claggett and D. E. Proctor.

1872. Miss Nellie B. Holt was this year appointed superintending
committee of the summer schools, and was thus the first lady selected
for this important duty. The winter schools were under the superin-
tendence of Rev. E. J. Whittemore.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

365

1873. Rev. Elias J. Whittemore 1876, Rev. S. B. Macomber

1874. Leonard G. Brown 1877 and 1878. Leonard G. Brown

1875. Leonardo. Brown 1879 and 1880. Charlotte M. Wallace
This was at the time an innovation ; but one in which it was

thought that Lyndeborough honored itself, as well as the lady
who was chosen for this important service. Her first report
contains the following pertinent sentence: " Certainly if there
is anything of which the people of Lyndeborough have occa-
sion to be proud, and in which they should take the deepest
interest, it is the bright-faced, active, intelligent children found
in the different schools scattered throughout the town."
(page 10).

A writer in the Milford Enterprise of those days remarked
that Miss Wallace " was considered so competent for the posi-
tion of Superintendent of Schools, as to receive the vote of
both parties." On the roll of honor for 1879 in District No. 3
are the names of " Myrtie Putnam, Clintie Emery, Addie
Marshall, Ada Smith, Freddie Moore, Harley Emery, Roy
Putnam and Willie Gibney.

In 1 88 1, Rev. T. P. Sawin was chosen superintending com-
mittee. He devised two neatly arranged, instructive tables
which concisely present to us the work of the schools for that
year. We will attempt to reproduce one of these :

_g-

be
a

>»

4-1

'•4->

'ft,

P.
a!

t/1

■)->

S
n

£1

i»

366 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

1882. Rev. T. P. Sawin, committee. His report states that
" District No. 3 has three times as many pupils as any other
school in town. It requires more strength, and more hard
labor to keep it. Some of the pupils were advanced into the
higher studies."

That year fifteen young people from our town attended school
elsewhere.

Six went to Francestown Academy, namely, Harry Richard-
son, Fred Spalding, lyizzie Spalding, Mabel Hadley, Flora
Holt, Clintie M. Duncklee.

Six went to Milford High School, namely, George Batchel-
der, Carrie Batchelder, Oscar E. Cram, Walter S. Tarbell,
Efhe A. Holt, Lillie M. Swasey ; and three went to Mont
Vernon Academy, namely, Anna M. Curtis, Clara J. Burton,
and Harry Joslin.

Concerning those who went to Milford, the principal re-
marked, "We like them much as students and as young
gentlemen and ladies. If you have more of such in your town,
we shall be glad to see them in the Milford High School."*

Rev. T. P. Sawin's last report was made in March, 1883.
His successor as superintending committee in 1884 and 1885
was Mr. J. A. Woodward.

The year 1885 closes the list of those who served as superin-
tending committee. A change in the school law went into
effect in 1886, by which all the schools in the town came under
the charge of a board of education.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The first board of education consisted of J. A. Woodward,
B. J. Boutwell and F. B. Richards.

This board served one term, after which Messrs. Woodward
and Boutwell resigned. Mr. Richards held his position and
chose two others to fill the vacancies in the board, viz : S. N.
Hartshorn and Leonard G. Brown. For the fall and winter
terms, therefore, the board was constituted of F. B. Richards,
S. N. Hartshorn and ly. G. Brown.

The members of the board since 1886 are as follows :

887
888

F. B. Richards, S. N. Hartshorn, L. G. Brown.
N. T. Mclntire, George Rose, David C. Grant.
FraucLS H. Curtis, N. T. Mclutire, S. Kate Swinington.
N. T. Mclntire, Frances H. Curtis, S. Kate Swinington.
J. 11. Goodrich, S. K. Swinington.

*T. R., 1883, p. 14.

PUCLIC SCHOOLS 367

1892. F. B, Richards, secretary; J. H. Goodrich, treasurer.

1893. F. B. Richards, J. H. Goodrich, Abby F. Cram.

1894. H. H. Joslin, chairman; J. H. Goodrich, treasurer; Abby F.

Cram, secretary.

1895. H. H. Joslin, chairman; J. H. Goodrich, treasurer; Abby F.

Cram, secretary.

1896. Rev. O. E. Hardy, J. H. Goodrich, Abby F. Cram.

1897. J. H. Goodrich, chairman; O. E. Hardy, treasurer; Abby F.

Cram, secretary.

1898. Abbie F. Cram, Eliza A. Putnam, J. H. Goodrich.

1899. J. H. Goodrich, George Murch, S. S. Hartshorn.

1900. S. S. Hartshorn, V. B. Richards, Mrs. Elsie M. Sargent.

1901. Mrs. Elsie M. Sargent, F. B. Richards, S. S. Hartshorn.

1902. F. B. Richards, S. S. Hartshorn, Abby F. Cram.

1903. S. S. Hartshorn, Algernon W. Putnam, Mrs. C. P. Mason.

1904. S. Kate Swiuington, Alice M. Chase, Ella R. Holt.

1905. S. Kate Swiniugton, Alice M. Chase, Ella R. Holt.

PRINTED REPORTS.

The reports of the superintending committee of schools
began to be published in pamphlet form in 1851. Could com-
plete files of these be secured, they would be of material assis-
tance in our work. Previous to that date, very few of the
names of teachers in our district schools are given. Hence,
the names of the earlier teachers in the nineteenth century can
be only partially, and so to speak, fortuitously given ; for the
reason that no systematic record of such names was made. It
was a matter of greater note, at least, to provide for the
materials to carry on the school and make record of them, than
to give the teacher's name. By way of example, the records of
District No. 3, for Nov. 14, 1826, state that Daniel Putnam,
Esq., was moderator, and Jonathan Putnam, Jr., clerk, and
proceeds : —

Voted, "to set up the boarding of the master at auction.
Daniel Putnam took the boarding of the master at 30 cents per
week." One person bid off the supplying of two cord, and
another the supplying of three cord of wood, at 95 cents per
cord, and it was further voted, " that the school begin the first
Monday in December." But the teacher's name is not on the
record. C^li bono f

But, although we cannot present as good an account of the
pioneer teachers as we should like, we present some names that
are not wholly obscure.

EARI,Y SCHOOL TEACHERS.

The names of many of the early teachers of our schools are

368 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

not at the present day accessible. Some which have been
collected from a portion of the old records of District No. 3 and
such other sources as were available are preserved. No records
from other districts were found, and this will account for any
omissions of names which it would have been a pleasure to re-
port. Some of the teachers here named bore the burden of in-
structing youths when text-books were scarce, and school appli-
ances such as are now common either did not exist, or were very
imperfect, if at all obtainable. The names of the noble band,
who, while working at great disadvantage, yet wrought excel-
lently for their day, deserve worthy and grateful record.

We place at the head of this list the name of Andrew Fuller
and give his certificate below : —

Lyud Borough Mar. 22, 1774, this Day agreed with Andrew Fuller Es-
quier to open and Keep a Gramer School only for Sutch as are to be
taught Gramor. Comities being Chosen to Provoid Schools for Comon
Laming for this Present year

David Badger "I Selectmen
Levi Spauldiug J Lynd Borough

To Andrew Fuller Esquier.

" Kurd's History of Hillsboro' County," p. 249, informs us
that, " April 6, 1791, Isaac Brooks of Amherst closed a school
in Lyndeborough, of ten weeks, at thirty-six shillings per week,
excluding horsekeeping. ' ' A fair inference from this seems to be
that he rode to and from his school. At a later day he became
registrar of deeds for Hillsboro' county, an office to which he
was annually reelected for nearly twenty-six years.* His excel-
lent penmanship adorns many volumes of deeds in the covmty
ofi&ce, where he put himself on record as well as the deeds which
he copied.

1809. Polly Dascomb, a name familiar in town.

1 8 10. John Bruce, probably of Mont Vernon.

181 1. Sally Fuller ; but the last two weeks of term, Abigail
Putnam. I suppose that this last lady was the one who is said
to have taught school twenty-five years. If this is correct she
taught very early in the history of our schools. She was the
daughter of Ensign David Putnam.

181 1. Lieut. Cyrus Lewis. It is stated that scholars came
from other districts when he taught.

1 814. Simeon Childs.

1819-20. Samuel R. Hall. He is said to have been a fine
teacher, and to have stimulated his pupils to seek a higher edu-

*History of Hillsboro' Couuty, p. 239.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 369

cation. He afterwards became widely known as " first princi-
pal of the teachers' seminary at Andover, Mass," and later be-
came a highly esteemed Unitarian minister.

1821 or 1822. David Gage taught in South Lyndeborough,
and married Miss Betsey, daughter of Daniel Putnam, Esq., also
a teacher. After their marriage they went into Mississippi,
under appointment of the American Board, as teachers of the
Cherokee and Choctaw Indians.

1835 or 1836. Ephraim Knight of Hancock, later famous as
a teacher of mathematics at New London Literary and Scientific
Institution, and ordained as a Baptist minister at Sutton.

Charles H. Burns taught in district No. i during the pastor-
ate of Rev. E. B. Claggett. He is now one of the best known
lawyers in the state, and wrote for publication in the Hillsboro'
county history the sketch of Milford, one of the raciest and best
in the volume.

Another teacher, a resident of Lyndeborough for a few years,
was Col. W. H. D. Cochrane, who died recently in Nashua,
highly honored and esteemed. According to the history of the
"First Regiment of N. Hampshire Volunteers,"* he enjoyed the
distinction of having been ' ' the first uniformed New Hamp.shire
soldier who entered the Capital ' ' at the commencement of our
Civil War.

Earlier by several years, probably, than the two immediately
preceding names should be set the name of Miss Elsie M. Bales,
who taught several terms in district No. 3. She became Mrs.
S. F. Adams of Greenville in 1857, and died in Wilton, Jan. 3,
1905. aged 80 years.

TEACHERS' NAMES IN TOWN REPORTS.

Reports for the years 1852, 1853, 1855 and 1856 are missin,g.
Teachers, 185 1.
No. I. Miss Clarinda F. Bruce ; Mr. Sylvester Hill.
No. 2. Miss Cynthia M. Dunklee. Summer and winter.
No. 3. Miss Lucy Woodward ; Mr. W. L,. Whittemore.
No. 4. Martha Hill. Both terms.
No. 5. Helen Burton ; Mr. A. W. Wright.
No. 6. Harriet L. Crosby ; Miss Caroline S. Averill.
No. 7. Miss Mary A. Haggett ; Mr. Simon O. Butler.
No. 8. Miss Orpah Gage ; Miss Salome R. Crosby.
No. 9. Mr. George L. Dascomb. Winter.
No. 10. Miss Harriet Clement ; Miss Salome R. Crosby.
No. ir. Miss Helen Burton. Winter term only.

* P. 119.

370 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

No. 12. Mr. George D. Epes. Winter.

Teachers, 1854.
Sarah C. Mouroe. Caroline A. Stevens.
Harriet N. Whittemore. George W. Marden.
Harriet L. Crosby. Summer and winter terms.
Sarah D. Clark. Walter Gibson.
Verona E. Person ; F. P. Had ley.
Lydia Proctor ; Charles H Boyd.
Miss A. M. Steele ; Clark B. Jones.
Lavinia A. Gould ; Sarah B. Byam.
Harriet N. Whittemore.

No. r

No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9

No. 10. Sarah M. Patch ; Sarah C. Monroe.

Teachers, 1857.

No. I. Miss Mary F. Perkins; Frank G. Clark.

No. 2. Miss Frances A. Holt; Alvah R. Potter.

No. 3. Miss Maria S. Stevens; Rev. E. J. Emery.

No. 4. Miss Clara A. Sawyer ; Miss Martha Hill.

No. 5. Miss Nellie W. Stayner ; Albert O. Houston.

No. 6. Miss Eliza A. Robins. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Lucy K. Spalding. Two terms.

No. 8. Miss Martha E. Le Bosquet; Miss Frances A. Jaquith.

No. 9. Miss Frances A. Holt; Miss Nellie W. Stayner.

No. ID. Miss Julia A. Kingsbury. Two terms.

Teachers, 1858.

No. I. Miss Mary F. Perkins; Frank G. Clark.

No. 2. Miss Frances A. Holt ; Alvah R. Potter.

No. 3. Miss Maria Stevens ; Rev. E. J. Emery.

No. 4. Miss Clara A. Sawyer ; Miss Martha Hill.

No. 5. Miss Nellie W. Stayner; Albert O. Houston.

No. 6. Miss Eliza A. Robbins.

No. 7. Miss Lucy K. Spalding.

No. 8. Miss Martha E. LeBosquet ; Miss Francis A. Jaquith.

No. 9. Miss Frances F. Holt ; Miss Nellie W. Stayner.

No. 10. Miss Julia A. Kingsbury.

Teachers, 1859.

No. I. Miss Martha LeBosquet; Jonas Hutchinson.

No. 2. Miss Emeline Spalding; Miss Emma Holt.

No. 3. Miss Frances A. Holt ; Miss vSusan Butler. .

No. 4. Miss Eliza P. Jones ; MisS Harriet Richardson.

No. 5. Miss Emily E. Dascomb; Andrew J. Philbrick.

No. 6. Miss Lucy K. Spalding; Benjamin J. Boutwell.

No. 7. Miss Ellen M. Holt ; Miss Abbie J. Boutwell.

No. 8. Miss Frances M. Fiske ; Miss Georgia Giles.

No. 9. Miss Nellie W. Stayner.

Teachers, i860.

No. I. Miss Eliza P. Jones; Miss Harriet Richardson.

No. 2. Miss Frances A. Holt; T. P. Sawin.

No. 3. Miss H. E. Bell ; Miss Nellie W. Stayner; J. B. Mitchell.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 371

No. 4. Miss Emeline Spalding ; Miss Martha E. Conant.

No. 5. Miss Mary F. Hopkins ; Mr. A. G. Stearns.

No. 6. Miss Augusta L. Bruce ; Mark F. Burns.

No. 7. Miss Nellie W. Stayner; Miss Augusta L. Bruce.

No. 8. Miss Lizzie S. Mansfield ; Miss Juliette Haggett, 4 weeks ; on ac-
count of sickness at home, given up ; finished hv Miss Susan
M. Sawyer.

No. 9. Miss Ellen B. Holt ; Miss Mary F. Hopkins.

No. 10. Miss Sarah L. Cochran ; Miss Frances Fiske.

Teachers, 1861.
No. I. Miss Georgie E. Wilson ; Miss Ellen Putnam.
No. 2. Miss Clintina M. Butler.

No. 3. Miss Abbie F, Cram ; Miss Mary Gertrude Lucas ; George L. Das-
comb.
No. 4. Miss Martha A. Batten ; Mr. D. E. Proctor.
No. 5. Miss Nellie M. Holt. Summer and winter.
No. 6. Miss Emeline Spalding; James B. Hall.
No. 7. Miss Frances A. Jaquith ; Miss Abba S. Dodge.
No. 8. Miss Lizzie Mansfield. Both terms.
No. 9. Miss Nellie W. Stayner ; Miss Abbie J. Holt.
No. 10. Miss Sarah L. Cochran ; Miss Eliza A. Robbins.

Teachers, 1862.

No. I. Miss Ellen Putnam ; Both terms.

No. 2. Miss Clintina Butler ; Ramsey- C. Boutwell.

No. 3. Miss Fidelia S. Savage, two terms ; George L. Dascomb.

No. 4. Miss Susie M. Sawyer ; Miss Georgia D. Giles.

No. 5. Miss Eliza H. Spalding ; Miss S. Eliza Heald.

No. 6. Miss Maria N. Tuten. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Juliette Haggett ; Miss Gertrude Lucas.

No. 8. Miss Susie M. Sawyer. One term.

No. 9. Miss Lucelia R. Butters. Both terms.

No. 10. Miss Sarah L. Cochran ; Charles F. Stinson.

Teachers, 1863.
No. I. Miss Juliette Haggett and Miss Clintina M. Butler.
No. 2. Miss Clintina Butler ; Miss Georgia G. Giles.
No. 3. Miss Lucy T. Tyler, two terms ; George L. Dascomb.
No. 4. Miss Minerva L. Stevens ; Miss Lottie Adams.
No. 5. Miss S. M. Washburn ; Miss Frances B. Reynolds.
No. 6. Miss Emily F. Dodge ; Miss Victoria Neville.
No. 7. Miss Mary Stacey ; Miss Flora A. Dodge.
No. 8. Miss Lizzie Moore ; Miss Emeline Spalding.
No. 9. Miss Susan P. Smith. Two terms.
No. 10. Miss Frances D. Rand. One term.

Teachers, 1864.

No. I. Miss Georgia D. Giles.

No. 2. Miss Martha Conant.

No. 3. Theodore Collins.

No. 4. Miss Lottie R. Adams.

372 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9

Miss Lizzie Davis.

Miss Abbie F. Crosby ; Mrs. William Cleaves.

Miss Ivizzie Moore.

Miss Joie C. Jones.

Miss Eliza Stephenson.

No. lo. Rodney K. Wilder.

Teachers, 1865.
No. I. Miss Georgia D. Giles. Two terms.
No. 2. Miss C. L. Patch ; Miss N. R. Wilder.
No. 3. Miss C. Butler, two terms ; Miss H. D. Clark, 3rd.
No. 4. Mrs. Harriet Blaney ; Miss Ellen B. Holt.
No. 5. Miss E. A. Lynch ; Miss Lizzie Davis.
No. 6. Miss Joie C. Jones. Two terms.
No. 7. Miss Christina Hutchinson ; Miss Abbie Crosby.
No. 8. Miss Carrie Stearns. Both terms.
No. 9. Miss Abbie F. Cram.
No. 10. Miss Jennie Marden ; Miss Katie Kidder.

Teachers, 1866.
No. I. Miss Joie C. Jones ; Nellie B. Holt.
No. 2. Miss Abbie E. Crosby ; Miss Nellie B. Holt ; Miss Lizzie B.

Hadley.
No. 3. Miss Juliette Haggett ; Lu A. Butters; Mrs. Harriet L. Cleaves.
No. 4. Sarah O. Jones; Mrs. Harriet Blaney.
No. 5. Miss Martha Putnam ; Miss Mary Baldwin.
No. 6. Miss Mary B. McConihe. Two terms.
No. 7. Miss Norah Smith ; Joie C. Jones.
No. 8. Miss Sarah L. Tuten ; Miss Ellen W. Kennedy.
No. 9. Miss Annie J. Gregg.
No. 10. Miss Juliette Haggett.

Teachers, 1867.
No. I. Miss Joie C. Jones. Two terms.
No. 2. Miss Nellie B. Holt. Two terms.
No. 3. Miss Hannah A.Foster; Miss Mary McConihe; Miss Joie C.

Jones.
No. 4. Miss Hannah D. Clark ; Miss Nellie M. Adams.
No. 5. Miss E. Putnam. One term.
No. 6. Miss Joie C. Jones ; Miss Mary McConihe.
No. 7. Miss Eliza A. Lynch. Two terms.
No. 8. Miss Emma Soule ; Miss Sarah Rand.
No. 9. Miss Alma K. Moore. One term.
No. 10. Miss Lucretia H. Rideout ; Miss Lottie B. Wardwell.

Teachers, 1868.
No. I. Miss Emmie Emerson ; Miss Abbie F. Crosby ; Miss Martha A.

Putnam.
No. 2. Miss Nellie B. Holt ; Joie C. Jones.
No. 3. Miss Mary E. Wright, three terms ; Miss E. A. Keyes, assistant

in 3rd.
No. 4. Miss Hannah D. Clark. Two terms.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 373

No. 5. Miss H. L. Fowler ; Miss Clemmie E. Averill.
No. 6. MissSallie F- Tilton. Winter term only.
No. 7. Miss Maria L. Moore. Two terms.
No. 8. Miss Sarah C. Rand ; Miss Mary F. Felt.
No. 9. Luella C. Hutchinson. One term onl}-.
No. 10. Miss Julia A. Dodge ; Miss Letitia Adams.

Teachers, 1869.
No. I. Miss Mary N. Abbott; Rev. E. B. Claggelt.
No. 2. Miss Hannah D. Clark; Miss Nellie B. Holt; Miss Mary C. Mcln-

tire (subscription school.)
No. 3. Miss Maria L. Moore ; George L. Dascomb.
No. 4. Miss Eliza A. Butterfield ; Miss Emma J. Boynton.
No. 5. Miss Ida E. Patch ; Miss Ella J. Bragg.
No. 6. Miss Eliza H. Spalding; Isadore Richardson.
No. 7. Miss Etta F. Gage ; Oliver F. Giles.
No. 8. Miss Mary F. Felt ; Miss Nettie Elliott.
No. 9. Miss Emma E. Johnson. One term.
No. 10. Miss Sarah Richardson ; D. Atherton Starrett.

Teachers, 1870.
No. I. Miss Abby J. Kidder ; Miss Vina A. Dole.
No. 2. Miss Lizzie P. Claggett ; Miss Evie M. Atwood.
No. 3. Miss Olive T. Giles, Miss Georgie A. Holt ; Alfred B. Spalding,

Dartmouth College.
No. 4. Miss Mary C. Mclntire. Two terms.
No. 5. Miss Mary F. Richardson ; Walter C. Frost, Dublin.
No. 6. Miss Emmie Spalding. Two terms.
No. 7. Miss Julia A. Dodge. Two terms.
No. 8. Miss Nettie Elliott ; Miss Eliza A. Butterfield.
No. 9. Miss L,ydia C. Hardy ; Mar}' F. Felt.
No. 10. Miss Eliza A. Butterfield ; Miss Eliza A. Ivynch.
Also High School, kept by Mr. A. B. Spalding.
Teachers, 1871.
No. I. Miss Belle L. Clark ; Prank W. Cram.
No. 2. Miss Clara A. Curtis ; George E. Adams, Dublin.
No. 3. Miss Sarah E. Richardson, two terms; A. B. Spalding, Dart-
mouth College.
No. 4. Miss Mary F. Richardson ; Miss Mary C. Mclntire.
No. 5. Miss Abbie F. Dascomb ; Miss Clara E. Flint.
No. 6. Miss Sarah M. Parker. Two terms.
No. 7. Miss Lizzie P. Claggett. Two terms.
No. 8. Miss E. A. Butterfield ; Ida H. Lamson.
No. 9. Miss Ella J. Bragg. One term.
No. 10. Miss Katie E. Kidder ; Miss E. A. Butterfield.

Teachers, 1872.
No. I. Miss Mary C. Mclntire ; Abbie J. Kidder.
No. 2. Miss Lizzie M. King. Two terms.
No. 3. Miss Julia A. Dodge, ist and 3rd terms; Sarah E. Richardson,

2nd.
No. 4. Mi3s Mary C. Mclntire. Winter term.

374 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Miss Carrie H. Walton. Two terms.

Miss Eliza Spalding. Two terms.

Miss Clara A. Curtis. Two terms.

Miss Ida H. Lamsou ; Millie C. Waldo.

Miss Ida Belle Johnson.

Miss Klleu M. Woodbury; Eliza A. Butterfield.

Teachers, 1873.
Miss Mary F. Richardson. Both terms.
Miss Clara Curtis, John Moses; Frank E. Hadley, Nashua.
Miss Susan Howard, two terms ; Silas B. Dutton, Francestown.
Miss Clara F. Dodge. One term.
Miss Nellie A. Steele; Miss Clara Curtis.
Miss Eliza H. Spalding, Wilton. Both terms.
Miss Julia A. Dodge. Both terms.
Miss Ella J. Richardson. Both terms.
Miss Ella J. Richardson. One term.
Miss Katie Kidder; Miss Abbie Kidder.

Teachers, 1874.
Miss Ella M. Dodge. Both terms.
Miss Mary C. Mclntire. Both terms.

Miss L/Ottie M. Wallace, Mary F. Richardson ; Lizzie S. Pike.
Miss Lizzie M. King. One term.
Miss Clara Curtis ; Hattie Curtis.
Miss Mary A. Hartshorn ; Oldie A. Barrett.
Miss Mina A. Brown ; Ida H. Lamson.
Miss Emeline Spalding; Miss Emma L. White.
Miss Emeline Spalding. One term.
Susie J. Wheelock ; Minnie A. Ames.

Teachers, 1875.
Miss Abbie H. Rand ; Mary L. Dutton ; Addie E. Gould.
Miss Lucie Stiles ; Mr. W. L. Crabbie.
Miss Lottie M. Wallace ; Miss Emeline Spalding, fall and

winter.
George N. Merrill. One term.
Miss Katie S. Curtis ; Marion E. Center.
Miss Abbie A. Boynton ; Miss Ella S. Burnham.
Miss Belle V. Tyler. Both terms.
Miss Emma L. White. Both terms.
Miss Emeline Spalding. One term.
10. Miss Emma L. White ; Eliza A. Butterfield.

Teachers, 1876.
Miss Hattie J. Carson. Two terms.
Miss Fannie C. Goodhue ; Miss Hattie S. Curtis.
Miss Emeline Spalding, two terms; Mr. D. A. Stiles, winter.
Henry D. Soule. Oue term.
Miss Nellie H. Woodbury. Two terms.
Miss Ella S. Burnham. Two terms.
Miss Emma J. Tarbell. Two terms.
Miss Emma L. Little ; Eva M. Fletcher.

• 5-

.6.

• 7-

No,

.8.

• 9-

No,

. 10.

No.

, I.

No.

10.

No.

10.

No.

10.

No.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 375

No. 9. Miss Sarah. A. Keyes. Two terms.
No. 10. Miss Josie A. Proctor ; Fred Ranger.

Teachers, 1877.
No. I. Miss Emeline Spalding. Two terms.
No. 2. Miss H. J, Carson. Two terms.

No. 3. Miss Clara A. Curtis. Two terms; D. A. Stiles, 3rd term.
No. 4. Miss Clara F. Dodge. One term.
No. 5. Miss Lucy C Barrett; Mr. J. B. Warner.
No. 6. Miss Kate S. Curtis; Clara A. Curtis.
No. 7. Miss Ella A. Rand; Kate S. Curtis.
No. 8. Miss E. M. Fletcher, two terms; Nettie M. Giddings,
No. 9. Miss Eva L. Savage ; Miss A. A. Russell.
No. 10. Miss Nettie F. Ranger. Two terms.

Teachers, 1878.
No. I. Miss Lora Tarbell. Two terms.
No. 2. Miss Ella M. Dodge. Two terms.

No. 3. Miss J. H. Karr began, Mr. F. B. Richards, closed the year.
No. 4. Miss Nettie M. Carson ; John Carson.
No. 5. Miss Katie S. Curtis. Two terms.
No. 6. Miss Grace H. Crosby; George W. Battles.
No. 7. Miss Hattie Carson. Two terms.
No. 8. Miss Lizzie R. Kidder ; Miss Julia A. Dodge.
No. 9. Miss Lizzie Cummings. Two terms.

No. 10. Miss M. A. Pritchard; Charles Brown began, George K. Wood,
finished.

Teachers, 1879.
No. I. Miss Hattie Emerson; Miss Nancy Flint.
No. 2. Miss Addie Hook; Miss Fanny Coombs.
No. 3. Mrs. Clara Cram, two terms ; Mr. F. B. Richards.
No. 4. Miss Katie Curtis. Two terms.
No. 5. Miss Eva Fletcher; Miss Sarah McLane.
No. 6. Miss Grace Crosby ; Miss Julia Dodge.
No. 7. Miss Emma Perham ; Miss Annie Kayes.
No. 8. Miss Katie Curtis ; Miss Jennie Downer.
No. 9. Miss Lizzie Cummings. Two terms.
No. 10. Miss Eliza Downes ; Farley Atwood.

Teachers, 1880.
No. I. Miss Ella M. Dodge; Miss Clara F. Dodge.
No. 2. Miss Fannie Hall ; Harry Whittemore.
No, 3. Mrs. Clara Cram, for the year.
No. 4. Miss Ella Woodward. Two terms.
No. 5. Miss Kate Curtis ; Miss Wealthy Farwell.
No. 6. Miss Lora Tarbell, Two terms.
No. 7. Mrs. Emma J. Perham ; Clarence L. Trow.
No. 8. Miss Susie Wood ; Miss Julia Dodge.
No. 9. Miss Sarah McLane ; Miss Fannie L. Farnham.
No. 10. Miss Annie L. Langdell ; Miss Lizzie J. Jordan.

376 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBOR O UGH

No. I
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9

No. I
No. 2

No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9

Teachers, i88i.
Miss Anna S. Richardson ; Jennie E. Fuller.
Miss I^aura S. Sawin ; Harry W. Whittemore.
Miss Jennie M. Carr. Three terms.
Miss Ann F. Langrlell ; Dana B. Whittemore.
Miss Emma C. Cram ; Miss Carrie F. Averill.
Miss Nellie Wilson ; Miss Mary E. Bussell.
Mrs. Emma J. Perham. Two terms.
Miss Jennie Scott. Two terms.
Miss H. J. Herlihy. Two terms.
No. lo. Miss Lizzie J. Jordan. Two terms.

Teachers, 1882.
Miss Anna S. Richardson ; Miss Addie E. Gould.
Miss Ivucie S. Stiles ; Mrs. Kmma J. Perham.
Miss Annie E. Caldwell ; Harry W. Whittemore ; F. B. Richards.
Miss Anna F. Langdell. Two terms.
Miss Agnes M. Leach. Two terms.
Miss Abbie E. Crosby. Two terms.
Miss Carrie F. Averill. Two terms.
Miss Lizzie R. Kidder ; Mr. D. A. Stiles.
Miss Hannah J. Herlihy ; Miss Eva L- Twiss.
No. 10. Miss L. Hattie Pevear ; Elmer E. Fisher.

Teachers, 1883.
No. I. Miss Addie E. Gould; Miss Clintie A. Burton.
No. 2. Miss Jennie E. Fuller. Two terms.
No. 3. Miss Emma J. Nahor. Three terms.
No. 4. Miss Emma H. Lamson. Two terms.
No. 5. Miss Etta J. Curtis ; Miss Helen M. Hadley.
No. 6. Miss Grace H. Crosby; Miss Emma F. Wyman.
No. 7. Miss Ida M. Kittridge ; Miss Jessie F. Crosby.
No. 8. Miss Hannah J. Herlihy.
No. 9. Miss Clintie M. Duncklee. Two terms.
No. 10. Miss Ann F. Langdell. Two terms.

Teachers, 1884.

Miss Annie M. Curtis ; Miss Nellie M. Atwood.

Miss Jennie F. White ; Willis M. Mason; Charlotte M. Wallace.

Miss Emma J. Nahor. Two terms.

Miss Emma H. Lamson. Two terms.

Miss Grace B. Hutchinson ; Miss M. Jennie Child.

Miss Jennie F. White ; Miss Emma F. Wyman.

Miss Jessie F. Crosby. Two terms.

Miss Hannah J. Herlihy ; Miss Nellie E. Ordway.

Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.
No. 10. Miss Ann F. Langdell ; Miss Julia L- Langdell.

Teachers, 1885.
No. I. Miss Annie S. Clark; Miss Annie M. Curtis.
No. 2. Miss Fannie L. Carleton. Two terms.
No. 3. Miss Emma J. Nahor. Two terms.

No. I
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No* 7
No. 8
No. 9

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 377

No. 4. Miss Emma H. Lamson. Two terms.

No. 5. Miss M. Jennie Child ; Miss J. Clara Burton.

No. 6. Miss J. Clara Burton ; Stephen W. Ford. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Mary Crosby. One term.

No. 8. Miss Hannah J. Herlihy ; Miss Soule.

No. 9. Miss Mabel Hadley; Miss Lizzie M. Spalding.

No. ID. Miss Minnie D. Lovejoy. Two terms.

Teachers, 1886.
No. I. Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.
No. 2. Miss Clintie Duncklee ; Miss Flora M. Holt.
No. 3. Miss Eva Fletcher. Three terms.
No. 4. Miss Emma Fisher. Two terms.
No. 5. Miss J. Clara Burton. Two terms.
No. 6. Miss Emma R. Holt ; C. L- Carpenter.
No. 7. Miss Flora Holt; S. K. Swinington.
No. 8. Miss Jennie E. Shattuck ; Louie Richardson.
No. 9. Miss Eunice Hodkin. Two terms.
No. 10. C. M. Farnum; A. F. Langdell.

Teachers, 1887.
No. I. Miss Hattie Crosby, One term.
No. 2. Miss Belle M. Harrison ; Miss S. Eliza Atkinson.
No. 3. Miss J. Clara Burton, three terms ; Ellis Ring, one term.
No. 4. Miss Emma Fisher. Three terms.
No. 5. Miss Mabel Hadley ; G. Scott Mackay.
No. 6. Miss Belle M. Harrison. Two terms.
No. 7. Miss Flora M. Holt ; Miss Emma Fuller.

Teachers, 1888.
No. I. Miss J. Clara Burton ; Miss Ida M. Fletcher.
No. 2. Miss Annie M. Curtis; Miss Lois Mclntire.

No. 3. Miss Mabel E. Rogers; Miss Annie M. Curtis ; W. N. Donovan.
No. 4. Miss Clintie M. Duncklee ; Emma Fisher.
No. 5. Miss J. Clara Burton. One term.
No. 6. Miss Belle McCollom ; J. G. G. Thompson.
No. 7. E. D. McCollom ; Miss Bertha L. Wilson,
No. 9. Miss Martha R, Sargent. Two terms.

Teachers, 1889.
No. I. Miss Florence A. Ring; Miss Ettie M. McGilvray.
No. 2. Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.
No. 3. W.N. Donovan, two weeks, and sick ; Miss Fannie L. Carlton

completed year.
No. 4. Miss Emma Fisher ; Miss Alice G. Crosby ; Miss Lizzie G. Curtis.
No. 5. Miss J. Clara Burton ; Miss Katie J. Herlihy.
No. 6. Miss Alice G. Crosby ; Miss Eva L. French.
No. 7. Miss Belle M. Morrison. Two terms.
No. 9. Miss Belle M. Morrison. One term.

Teachers, 1890.

No. I. Miss Emma L. Pettee. Two terms.

No. 2. Miss Mabel Hadley ; Miss Lizzie F. Johnson.

378 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

No. 3. Miss Fannie I^, Carlton, the year.

No. 4. Miss Ida M. Mason. Two terms.

No. 5. Miss Alice G. Crosby. One term.

No. 6. Miss P>a I. French. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Ida M. Mason. One term.

No. 9. Miss Belle Morrison ; Miss Katie J. Herlihy.

Teachers, 1891.

No. 1. Miss Annie E. Downes ; Miss Clin tie A. Emery.

No. 2. Miss Mary E. Richardson ; Miss Mabel Hadley.

No. 3. Miss Eva I. French. Three terms.

No. 4. Miss Ida M. Mason. Two terms.

No. 5. Miss Maude L. French ; Miss Mary E. Richardson.

No. 6. Miss Maude M. Harrison. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Hannah E. Hickey ; Miss Maude M. Harrison.

No. 9. Miss Mary E. Richardson. One term.

Teachers, 1892.

No. I. Miss Clintie A. Emery; Miss I^illie M. Butler.

No. 2. Miss Jennie M. Joslin ; Miss Mabel Hadley.

No. 3. Miss Carrie M. Proctor ; Miss Ida. M. Mason ; Miss Clara Blood.

No. 4. Miss Lillie M. Prince ; Miss Clintie A. Emery.

No. 5. Miss Katie J. Herlihy. Two terms.

No. 6. Miss Maude M. Harrison. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Marion Hartshorn ; Miss Lu A. Butler.

Teachers, 1893.

No. I. Miss L,illie M. Butler; Miss Hannah J. Herlihy.

No. 2. Miss lyu A. Butler ; Miss Agnes Cary Curtis.

No. 3. Miss Clara H. Blood. Three terms.

Fo. 4. Miss Susie J. Chickering ; Miss Emma J. Duncklee.

No. 5. Miss Agnes Cary Curtis ; Miss Flora M. Chapman.

No. 6. Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.

No. 7. Miss Lillie M. Butler.

No. 9. Miss Hattie E. Thompson ; Miss Carrie M. Downes.

Teachers, 1894.

No. I. Miss Hannah J. Herlihy; Miss Grace E. Putnam.

No. 2. Miss Marion M. Hartshorn. Two terms.

No. 3. Miss Clara H. Blood. Three terms.

No. 4. Miss Emma J. Duncklee. Two terms.

No. 5. Miss Agnes W. Curtis ; Miss Addie W. Downes ; H. J. Herlihy.

No. 6. Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.

No. 7. Mrs. Frances H. Curtis. Two terms.

Teachers, 1895.

No. I. Miss Emma J. Duncklee. Three terms.

No. 2. Miss Mabel Hadley. Two terms.

No. 3. Miss Ida S. Fletcher. Three terms.

No. 6. Miss Helen M. Chase, one term ; Miss Nellie M. Perham, two

terms.

No. 7. Mrs. F. H. Curtis. One term.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

379

No. I.
No. 2.
No. 3.
No. 6.
No. 7.
No. 9.

No. I.
No. 2.
No. 3.
No. 6.
No. 9.

No. I.
No. 2.
No. 3.

No. 6.
No. 7.
No. 9.

No. I.
No. 2.
Ro. 3.
No. 5.
No. 6.
No. 7.

No. I.
No. 3.
No. 6.
No. 7.
No. 9.

No. I.

No. 3.
No. 5.
No. 6.

No. 7.

No. I.
No, 3.
No. 4.
No. 5.
No. 6.
No. 7.

Teachers, 1896.
S. K. Swinington. Two terms.

Miss Mabel Hadley, one term; Miss Minnie Martin, two terms.
Miss Edna Swift, two terms ; Algernon W. Putnam, one term.
Miss Clintina E. Curtis. Three terms.
Mrs. F. H. Curtis. One term.
Miss Lillian G. Harrington. Two terms.

Teachers, 1897.
Miss Imogene E. Edwards. Two terms.
Miss Agues C. Curtis ; Miss Eva M. Bugbee.
Miss Clintina E. Curtis. Three terms.
Miss Elsie B. Curtis. Two terms.
Miss Lillian G. Harrington ; Miss Alice F. Herlihy.

Teachers, 1898.
Miss Irene V. Murch. Two terms.
Miss Eva M. Bugbee ; Miss Ida B. Woodward.
Miss Clintina E. Curtis, one term; Miss Helen C. Famsworth,

two terms.
Elsie B. Curtis. Two terms.
Miss Marion M. Hartshorn. One term.
Miss Alice M. Herlihy. Two terms.

Teachers, 1899.
Miss Irene V. Murch. One term.
Miss Minnie L,. Martin. One term.

Three terms.
, C. M. G. Johnson.

Two terms.
Two terms.
Teachers, 1900.

C. L,. Brock way.

Miss Jennie G. Dodge, one term ; Miss Ida Fletcher, two terms.

Miss L,. Anabel Tenney. Three terms.

Miss Elizabeth Desilets. Two terms.

Miss Carrie G. Johnson. Three terms.

Teachers, 1901.
C. L,. Brockway, one term ; Miss Ethel M. Hadley, two terms.
Miss Ida Fletcher, two terms ; Miss Annie Curtis, one term.
C. M. Johnson, one term ; Miss Florence Chauncey, two terms.
Miss Ethel M. Hadley, one term ; Miss Annie Curtis, two terms.
Miss Lizzie Desilets. Three terms.

Teachers, 1902.
Miss Ethel M. Hadley. Three terms.
Miss Annie Curtis. Three terms.
Miss Annie Senter. Two terms.
Miss Florence M. Chauncey. Three terms.
Miss Blanche M. Bullard. Three terms.
Miss Elizabeth Desilets. Three terms.

Miss Jennie G. Dodge.
Miss Bertha C. Duncan
Miss Julia L. Langdell.
Miss Alice F. Herlihy.

380 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOHOUGH

Teachers, 1903.
No. I. MissJ5thel M. Hadley, one ; Miss Amy T. Teuny, two terms.
No. 3. Miss Annie M. Curtis, two terms; Miss Lizzie M. Gordon, one

term.
No. 4. Miss Edith E. Weston. One term.
No. 5. Miss Martha M. Whitney ; Miss Edith E. Weston ; Miss Martha

M. Whitney.
No. 6. Miss Amy T. Tenny, one term ; Miss Bertha G. Perham, two

terms.
No. 7. Miss Florence M. Chauncey, one term ; Miss Edith Parker, two

terms.

Teachers, 1904.
No. I. Miss Amy Tenney. Three terms.
No. 3. Miss Annie M. Curtis, one term ; Miss Bertha T. Parker, two

terms.
No. 5. Miss Martha M. Whitney. Three terms.

No. 6. Miss Bertha G. Perham, one term ; Miss Bertha G. P. Wood-
ward, two terms.
No. 7. Miss Bertha T. Parker, one term ; Miss Annie M. Curtis, two

terms.

CHAPTER XVII.

Libraries.

the social library
The town of Lyndeborough, in the early days, did not possess
many literary advantages. Some of its citizens, however,
evinced an appreciation of the value of good books. For we
find a "Social Library" not only in operation, but also, actu-
ally incorporated, in the year 1798. Very likely it had been in
existence some time before its founders sought to have it sanc-
tioned by legal enactment. It seems to have been conducted as
a stock company, governed by its proprietors. Its collection of
books was good for that day, It was incorporated seven years
before the Francestown " Social Library,"* although the latter
was thought to be "the first of its kind in the vicinity " ; and it
was thirteen years ahead of the " Peterborough Social Library. "t
An extract from the act of incorporation follows : —
" Be it enacted by the Senate & House of Representatives in General
Court convened, that Sewall Goodrich, Ephraim Putnam, Peter Clark,
and their associates, proprietors of said library & all such as may here-
after become proprietors of the same be & they hereby are incorporated
into a body politic by the name of the Proprietors of the Social Library in
Lyndeborough continuation & succession forever — in that name may
sue and be sued in all actions personal & maj' prosecute & defend the
same to final judgment & execution & they are hereby vested with all the
powers & privileges incident to corporations of a similar nature & may
enjoin penalties of disfranchisement or fine not exceeding three dollars
for each offence to be recovered by said Societj' in an action of debt to
their use in any court in said State proper to try the same ; & they may
purchase & receive subscriptions, grants & donations of personal estate
not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars for the benefit of their as-
sociation."

Approved Dec. 4, 1798.

J. T. Gilman, Governor.
A true copy, Attest :

Philip Carrigain Secretary.

An old schedule gives, 17, 53, 54, 70, as the numbers of books
to be sold out of the library, and also names for purchase,
"Washington's Letters, European Spectator, 8 volumes, (was it
Addison's?) Evelina, History of a young lady, 3 volumes, Ed-

* Francestown mstory, p. 403. f Peterborough History, p. 113.

382 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

wards on tlie Affections, Keith on Prophecy and Andrew Ful-
ler's "The Gospel its own Witness." The works here named
indicate something of the rugged manhood which prompted
their selection. We have found no record of the success or of
the decline of this institution. But like the noble men who
originated it, having served its generation, it passed away.

From records found by Mr. Woodward, he adds, " This
library established in Lyndeborough was organized in April,
1792. It was a subscription librar}-, and the books were kept
at the village at the middle of the town. The following are
the subscriber's names, with the amount contributed : —

Rev. Sewall Goodridge

Eleazer Woodward

Joseph Kidder

Ephraim Kidder

John Epes

Dan' Gould

Ithemere Woodward

Capt. Jacob Wellman

Capt. Jonas Kidder

Jonathan Chamberlain. Jr.

Simeon Wilson

Maj. Clark

Dr. Benj. Jones

Aaron Putnam

Capt. William Barron

Dea. Ephraim Putnam

William Button

Ephraim Putman, Jr.

Dan^ Cram, i^

James Ordway

Lieut. Aaron Lewis

John Woodward

Capt. Sam' Houston

Dan' Hard}'

Uriah Cram

John Clark

John Besom

Lieut. Joseph Batchelder

John Boffee

Aaron Carkin

Lieut. J. Blanchard

Esq. Spaulding

James Boutwell

Benj. Epes

The amounts given by the last four subscribers are not legible
on the record. Of this amount of money raised, ^6, 19s., gd.
was expended by Esq. Rand for books Apr. 1792, and July 2,
same year, Dan' Gould expended ^8, os., 3d. for books, and the
expense of ' ' giting ' ' them was 3s.

After a record of fines is this entry, under date of Sept. 3,
1798: —

" Reckoned and settled with Peter Clark Treasurer to y* Social library
in the Town and find due to said proprietors five dollars and twenty-nine
cents to balance. Jonas Kidder, John Clark, Aaron Lewis, Committee.''

This was money received from fines and the sale of one book
to Dr. Benjamin Jones. The list of the subscribers' names show
that it was supported by people from all parts of the town. The
amount given was nearly a hundred dollars, a large sum in those
early days, and this shows, also, the strong desire for knowl-
edge which our forbears had."

LIBRARIES, 383

FRANKLIN LIBRARY, BY J. A. WOODWARD.

In the winter of 1850-51 the citizens of the town organized a
lyceum, or at any rate were holding lyceum meetings, and
among the questions proposed for discussion was the following :
" Resolved : That Napoleon Bonaparte was a greater man than
George Washington." William H. Grant and William A.
Jones, then young men, were among the disputants, and started
out one morning to see if they could find a " Life of Napoleon,"
a book they much desired to consult. They called on William
J. Herrick at his shoemaker's shop, and there these three Wil-
liams came to the conclusion that books were entirely too scarce
in Lyndeborough, and that some way should be devised to
remedy the fault. The result of that conversation was that
they went to see Rev. Mr. Claggett. The result of the inter-
view was that a meeting was called for a week from the follow-
ing Saturday at the town hall for the purpose of talking the
matter over. Mr. Claggett actively interested himself, and
there was a pretty full attendance of those interested. At this
meeting a plan was outlined for a library association, and a
constitution and by-laws were drafted, and much of the stock
was subscribed for.

PREAMBLE, CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE FRANKLIN LIBRARY

ASSOCIATION

Preamble : Feeling it important to cultivate a taste for profitable read-
ing and to procure access to good books in the various departments of
literature we form ourselves into a body corporate agreeably to the laws
of this Commonwealth and adopt the following Constitution and By-
Laws :

CONSTITUTION

Art. I. This shall be called the Franklin Library Association.

Art. 2. The stock of this Association shall be taken in shares of one
dollar each, and every share shall be subject to such tax as may be
assessed from time to time by vote of the Association. All the income of
the Association arising from the sale of stock and from other sources
except what is necessary to defray current expenses, shall be appro-
priated to the purchase of books.

Art. 3. Any person may at any time by purchasing one or more shares
become a member of this Association.

Art. 4. The officers of this Association shall consist of a Board of
five Directors to be chosen annually.

Art. 5. The Directors shall at their first regular meeting make choice
of one of their number for Chairman who shall preside at all meetings
of the Association.

384 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Art. 6. It 3hall be the duty of the Directors to select and purchase
books for the Association, appoint Librarians, extend the sale of stock,
meet once in three months to inspect the state of the library, appraise
damages if any and distribute books, also to make a report of their
doings at the annual meeting of the Association, and transact all other
needful business.

Art. 7. This Association shall hold its annual meetings the first Satur-
day in January to choose officers, hear the report of the directors and
transact all other necessary business.

Art. 8. All votes of this Association shall be taken by stock when
requested by one or more members.

Art. 9. This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular
meeting of the Association by vote of three-fourths of the stockholders.

BY-LAWS.

Sect. I. No member shall have books from the library amounting in
value to more than their stock unless it be a single volume of more than
that value.

vSect. 2. All books shall be returned to the library at or before every
quarterly meeting of the Directors, and any member not complying with
this law shall be fined six per cent, on the value of the books charged to
him, and three per cent, for each succeeding week until the fine shall
amount to the cost of the book or books.

Sect. 3. Every member shall be held responsible for all books charged
to him, and shall be liable for all damages committed on the same
while in his possession, and any member charged with the damage of a
book may have it at his option to pay said damages or take the book at
its appraised value.

Sect. 4. No member shall be entitled to draw books from the library
who neglects to pay any fine or charge for damages standing against
him.

Sect. 5. Any member may at any time except at the quarterly meet-
ings of the Directors draw books from the library by paying three per
cent, on their value.

Sect. 6. At the quarterly meetings of the Directors any member wish-
ing for any particular book may request of the Librarian to sell the use
of the same to the highest bidder, and no book shall be drawn from the
Library at said meetings in any other way.

Sect. 7. No member shall lend any book belonging to the Association
to any person not residing in the same house with himself, unless it be a
stockholder, and for every infringement of this law he shall be fined
twenty-five cents (amended Jan. i, 1853). Every stockholder shall pay
an additional three per cent, every time while charged to him any book
is lent to another stockholder and shall be responsible for all damages
on the same until returned to the library.

LIBRARIES

385

OF STOCKHOLDERS.

No. of

John Richardson

Asa Hill

Israel Herrick

Benj. G. Herrick

Benj. J. Clark

Josiah Wheeler

Lyndeboro Benefit Asso.

John C. Goodrich

Charles Parker

Charles H. Parker

Isaiah C. Parker

Sherebiah Manning

Wm. A. Jones

Harvey Perham

Otis Perham

Eli C. Curtis

Wm. W. Curtis

Burnham Russell
Isaac Duncklce
Levi Holt
Transferred
George Woodward
Charles Carkin
Eliza M. Cochran
Mary A. Joslin

Leonard G. Brown

Nathan Richardson

William Raymond

Henry F. Dodge

Levi Spalding

David D. Clark

David E. Upton

George B. Young

Benj. F. Holt

Asa B, Clark

Lois J. Mclntire

Rev. E. B. Claggett
David C. Grant
Wm. H. Grant
D. B. Whittemore
David Holt
Wm. L. Whittemore
Lafayette Herrick
Daniel Woodward, Jr.
Williams Woodward
Putnam Woodward
Artemas Woodward
James H. Karr
Wm. R. Duncklee
Clark B. Jones
Sylvester Hill
Wm. J. Herrick
Wm. Jones
Rodney C. Boutwell
Nathan Boutwell
Levi P. Spalding
George E. Spalding
Peter Clark
Oliver Bixby
Oliver H. Bixby
John Wellman 2nd
Luther Cram
Amaziah Blanchard
Ebenezer Fisk
Jonathan Stephenson
Samuel N. Hartshorn
John Bachelder
John Proctor
Alonzo Hartshorn
Wm. N. Ryerson
Mary C. Lucas
Edmond J. Parker

Jan., 1 85 1. At a voluntary meeting of the stockholders of
the Franklin Library Association at the town hall, the meet-
ing being called to order, John Richardson was chosen chair-
man, and D. B. Whittemore secretary, for the meeting. After
remarks had been made by several members in regard to the
future prospects of the association, it was unanimously voted
that the association now go into permanent organization by the
choice of directors. And in accordance with said vote the fol-
lowing gentlemen were chosen the first directors of the associa-

386 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

tion. Israel Herrick, David Holt, Daniel B. Whittemore, David
C. Grant, E. B. Claggett. Voted that this meeting adjourn to
the call of the directors, D. B. Whittemore, secretary.

May 17, 1851, the first sale of books was made, and at this
meeting Israel Herrick was chosen president of the Board of
Directors, and David C. Grant, secretary. The amount realized
from the sale of stock and other sources was $163.12. A room
was furnished at the house of Josiah Wheeler, and Mrs. Wheeler
was made librarian, which ofl&ce she kept until her death, in
1870. Four hundred and five books have been purchased and
77 donated by the U. S. departments.

After the death of Mrs. Wheeler the library was removed to
the parsonage, and since it has been located at various houses.
Since the formation of the town free public library the Franklin
library has practically ceased to be patronized. In i860 John
H. Goodrich was chosen secretary and treasurer, which offices
he has held ever since, a term of fortj^-four years.

The sale of the books at the quarterly meetings was some-
times productive of much fun and sometimes spirited bidding,
especially when new books had been bought. For a long time
fiction was not in favor with those who selected the books, and
for that reason the library contains many standard works, much
of history, and books of a scientific character. It has been a
blessing to the town !

SOUTH LYNDEBOROUGH CIRCULATING LIBRARY.

Fogg's " Gazetteer of New Hampshire," published in 1874,
reports at that time a library at South Lyndeborough which con-
tained three hundred volumes. A writer in the Milford E?i-
terpHse of June, 1878, states that the South Lyndeborough
library contained about four hundred volumes. Definite dates
of the origin of this library do not now seem attainable. But it
is probable that it was started late in the sixties. Mrs. E. C.
Tarbell was one of its earlier librarians, and the books were then
kept in Tarbell's hall, about where our public library is now
located.

The prime mover in founding this library seems to have been
a talented lady who was accustomed to spend a portion of her
summers here, Miss Clara Urann. She circulated a paper and
obtained subscriptions for it among the boarders and others.
She enlisted Mr. Merrill, her brother-in-law, in favor of it. He
was an elocutionist, and gave a reading in aid of the enterprise.

LIBRARIES 387

The library thus begun was designed for the common benefit
of both citizens and summer guests, and the number of the
books indicates that a very lively interest was taken in the
project. The books were also of admirable quality. Among
them was a set of Bancroft's " History of the United States "
and a large sprinkling of standard works.

In time, however, the interest in maintaining it flagged ; and
in the decade commencing with 1880, the books were much
scattered through the community, and systematic care for them
had rather relaxed. Though greatly reduced in the number of
its volumes, the library still continued in operation until the
Ivyndeborough public library was established, and then, nemine
contradicente , became merged in that organization.

LYNDEBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The public statutes of New Hampshire, in 1891, made pro-
vision to aid in establishing free public libraries in all towns of
the state which should by vote at a legal town meeting accept
the provision. The towns accepting the aid were to receive one
hundred dollars' worth of books after having provided in a sat-
isfactory manner " for the care, custody and distribution of the
books."*

Any town accepting these provisions must " annually appro-
priate for the use and maintenance of its free public library a
sum not less than fifty dollars, if its last assessed valuation was
one million dollars or upward, or a sum not less than twenty-five
dollars, if the valuation was less than one million and not less
than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or a sum not less
than fifteen dollars if the valuation was less than two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars."!

Eighty-one towns voted in favor of accepting the provisions of
the law, among which was Ljmdeborough, although it had not
fully completed all its arrangements.

Library commissioners had been appointed to further the work
of establishing such libraries. Their aim, as avowed, was " to
get the best books rather than the cheapest," to have quality
rather than number. This aim, we believe, was evidenced by
the volumes which they selected.

The accession list of the books granted by the State was not
made up till March, 1894, when one hundred and four volumes
were entered, and three more were added the following June.

* Public Statutes, 1891, Chap. XIII, Sec. 24. f lb., Chap. XIII, Sec. 25.

388 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

Further additions have been made, not only by town appropria-
tions, but also by private citizens. The late Mr. William R.
Putnam, a native of Lyndeborough, residing in Woburn, Mass.,
made very large personal gifts to it ; and as the executor of the
will of the late Jotham Hildreth, he appropriated five hundred
dollars from the latter's estate, for the purchase of books for our
library. This grant added many volumes to our collection.
The town has also made liberal appropriations year by year,
until now there are thirteen hundred and thirty-five volumes
upon our lists, many of which are very instructive as well as in-
teresting and entertaining. One hundred volumes were added
to the library during the year ending Feb. 15, 1904.

Its present trustees are Mr. W. S. Tarbell, secretary of the
board since its first organization ; Mr. Algernon W. Putnam,
elected last year, and Rev. D. Donovan, treasurer, continuously
since its organization. Two other gentlemen served as trus-
tees for a time, namely, S. N. Hartshorn, Esq., who served till
his death, and Mr. J. A. Woodward, who resigned last year.

The library is now in its third domicil ; it was first placed in
the building now used as post office and store, with Mrs. Lizzie
G. Tarbell as librarian ; it was secondly housed in the B. & M.
R. R. station, with Mrs. E. A. Danforth as librarian; and
thirdly, given its present quarters, over Tarbell's store, with W.
S. Tarbell as librarian.

We hope, not vainly, I trust, that some worthy child of
Lyndeborough, blessed with abundant means, will yet build for
himself " monumentum aere perennius,^^ a monument more last-
ing than bronze, in the form of a convenient library building,
and thus confer an enduring benefit upon future sons of his
beloved native town.

CHAPTER XVIII.

lyYCEUMS.
THE SOUTH I^YNDEBOROUGH LYCEUM.

By special request of the writer, Mr. lyUther Cram, the oldest
member of our " Town History Committee," in his eighty-sixth
year, furnished the following account of one of the earliest
lyceums in Lyndeborough. He wrote :

" Soon after the erection of the store at South L,yndeborough,
a lyceum was organized composed of the adult portion of the
community, with a preamble substantially as follows :

' We, the undersigned, believing that a well-conducted lyceum is of
great advantage, form ourselves into an organization to be known as the
South Lyndeboro Lyceum, the object of which is to prepare ourselves
more fully to perform our duties as American Citizens, adopt the follow-
ing Constitution and By Laws : '

The meetings were held in the hall over the store, which was
fairly well filled each week with interested members. The ex-
ercises consisted of debates by the male members, and composi-
tions and essays by the ladies. Those who took part in the
exercises would seek information on the subject of debate ; and
consequently, books which had lain neglected and unread for
years, were brought into use, much to the benefit of the dis-
putant and the interest of the audience. An effort was also
made in those gatherings to improve in a correct use of the
English language. Critics were appointed to report any im-
proper use of words or phrases introduced into the debate. An
example of this kind occurred once in a discussion of the pro-
hibitory law, when all the speakers, except one, called it ' pro-
hibetary ' law. The remarks of the critics were so keen and
trenchant, that the proper word was used ever after in that
lyceum."

Among the teachers who interested themselves in the lyceums
of those times was Ephraim Knight of Hancock, famous at a
later day as teacher of mathematics and natural sciences at the
New lyondon Literary and Scientific Institution, New London,
New Hampshire.

Mr. Cram thinks that the first lyceum in town was organized
in District No. 3, and also, that this of which he has written
was one of the earliest. He distinctly remembers when Prof.

390 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

Daniel Putnam of Ypsilanti, Michigan, as a boy, took part in
the discussion, and was at times followed by his grandsire,
Daniel Putnam, Esq., who was thirteen times elected represen-
tative to the New Hampshire legislature. The latter was ac-
customed to refer so deferentially and respectfully to "the
gentleman last on the floor," or to the "remarks of the pre-
ceding speaker, ' ' that it is pleasant and refreshing even at this
day to recall the scenes.

"Of the Lyceum," Prof. Putnam has written, "I can add
little, perhaps nothing, to what Mr. Cram knows. My impres-
sion is that it was the first of the Lyceums organized in the
town. The organization must have been a little earlier than
1840, but I have no means of fixing the exact date. I have
reason to remember the Lyceum with some measure of grati-
tude, as my first practice in public speaking was in the discus-
sions of that society. . . We discussed, and of course settled,
a good many important questions, among these the question,
" Which have the greater influence, men or women? " I do
not now remember how that question was decided."

In that lyceum two papers were edited, one of which was
called " The Bee,''^ and was conducted by the boy, Daniel
Putnam. Of this matter. Prof. Putnam has recently written,
" I remember something of ' The Bee,' of which Mr. Cram
speaks. My work in editing ' The Bee,' came about in this
way, my uncle, David J. Putnam, edited a paper, the title of
which I do not recall, in which he advocated certain views to
which I could not then subscribe ; and ' The Bee ' took the
opposite side. As I think over the matter, after the experience
of a good many years, I can readily believe that my writing
then was verj' crude, but I got some facility in expression
which has been of advantage to me in later years, and I sup-
pose the members of the Lyceum got some enjoyment out of
the matter."

That the lyceum here described in part was of some advan-
tage will doubtless be conceded after testimonies such as have
been cited. In entire harmonj'^ with these is a preamble of one
of the constitutions adopted by a lyceum of later date at Lynde-
borough Centre. It proceeds :

"We, believing that it is a duty as well as a privilege to cultivate and
improve those intellectual powers which the Great Author of our being
has given us — believing also, that in no waj' can this be better accom-
plished than in a well regulated Lyceum ; do hereby associate ourselves

L YCEUMS 391

together to form a Lyceum for mutual improvement, subject to the
following Constitution and By Laws."

This preamble is viewed by the writer as breathing the
spirit of Rev. E. B. Claggett, whose name is subscribed to the
" Constitution " together with a goodly list of others, who were
honored in the town at that time. Some of our older citizens
have said that in his day a very large proportion of our active,
young men attained such facility and ease of expression in
debate as to enable them to speak almost impromptu, with fluency
and intelligence and effectiveness upon a large variety of inter-
esting and practical subjects. They became, through their
practice in the lyceums, well informed on many subjects, and
could address an audience with great acceptance. Much of
this ability is attributed to Mr. Claggett's genial, kindly, wise
and effective leadership. After he became pastor of the Con-
gregational Church he devoted himself earnestly and heartily
to every interest of the town, religious, educational, practical.
For many years he was chairman of the superintending com-
mittee of schools, and it is said that he could, at sight, call
every scholar in the town by name. He lent his cheerful assist-
ance to every scheme which aimed to promote general welfare.

He prepared for one of the lyceums, a historical sketch of
Lyndeborough, which he used as the "basis of a lecture de-
livered Jan. 17, 1854," in which he refers enthusiastically to
the heroism of Lyndeborough men in the great struggle for
national independence. This must have strongly appealed to
patriotic impulses which a few years later were severely tested
on many a field of tragic, fratricidal strife.

A sample or two of Mr. Claggett's humor may not here be
misplaced. After stating that the history of our ancient town
embraces many facts and matters of great interest which
might be expanded to the size of a neat little volume, he added:
"One thing I have also noticed of this town is the fact that
they have always been in the habit of getting married ; and I
expect they will keep doing so. I have no knowledge of the
first wedding in town, nor can I tell how they used to conduct
such occasions. In connection with this subject, it may not be
inappropriate to saj', that Benjamin Cram, who died man}' years
ago, used to say with much satisfaction, that his father married
the handsomest girl in the whole township. On further inquiry
it appeared that she was the only girl in town, and very homely
at that."

392 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

This lyceura lecture was doubtless very instructive and very
highly enjoyed.

THE SECOND MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

This, so far as appears, was the direct successor of the
previous society. It was organized in January, 1839. After
continuing to hold meetings about two winters, it voted to unite
with " The Lyndeborough Lyceum " and adjourned Dec. i,
1840. The next record in the old book is dated Nov. 17, 1843.
The question for debate, Feb. 9, 1844, was, " Would the
emancipation of the slaves at the present time be injurious to
the community at large ? The affirmative disputants were
Jonathan H. Butler and David Stiles ; the negative were Israel
Herrick, M. D., and Samuel Karr. The decision was in the
negative. Before the union of these lyceums the meetings were
held in the school-house of District No. 2 ; after the union,
meetings were held at the centre.

From the forty-five names on the roll of membership of this
union lyceum we select the names of some who have recently
passed away, but are well remembered ; and others who are
still with us and well known. Foremost among the latter is
that of Joseph A. Johnson, the secretary, then a boy of sixteen,
and now " a gray-haired boy."

Wilkes H. Hadley Israel H. Goodridge

David C. Grant Franklin Senter

Nathaniel T. Mclntire Eli C. Curtis

Harvey G. Mclntire Kilburn S. Curtis

George D. Woodward Daniel Whittemore

James H. Karr William A. Jones

Lafayette Herrick Ward Woodward

William Herrick William Wellman
John F. Marden

THE FRANKLIN DEBATING CLUB.

I quote from the Record Book :

"Lyndeborough, Aug. 22, 1851.
According to previous notice, the friends of the Lyceum met and trans-
acted the following business :

1. Chose D. Stiles, Esq., President pro tem. ;

2. Chose W. A. Jones, Secretary pro tem. ;

3. Heard the report of the committee chosen to prepare a Constitu-
tion and By Laws ;

4. Voted to take up the Constitution and By Laws by the article.

5. Voted to adopt the Constitution and By Laws.

LYCEUMS 393

6. Chose W. A. Jones, President.

" Sylvester IUll, V. Pres.
" \V. PI. Grant, Secretary.
" O. II. Bixby, Treasurer.

7. Adjourned to meet Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 o'clock P. M.

W. A. Joues, Secretary.

The officers were to serve two weeks, except the treasurer,
whose term of service was to be eleven weeks, or till his suc-
cessor was chosen. In addition to the names above given, we
give those of others who became members :

Harvey Perham E. B. Claggett

W. J. Herrick R. C. Boutwell

Lafayette Herrick Luther Cram

Clark B. Joues Wm. W. Curtis

Benjamin G. Herrick D. B. Whittemore

S. N. Hartshorn Foster Woodward

Charles H. Parker Nathaniel Jones

Isaiah C. Parker Moses Ordway

Daniel Woodward, Jr. John Batchelder

John Richardson Joseph Chamberlain

Francis Clark John Gage

Ladies.

Martha Hill E. J. M. Claggett

Lydia Proctor Anna M. Claggett

Mary J. Holt Lizzie T. Steele

Ann E. Boutwell Orpah Gage

Francis M. B'iske Harriette Richardson

Abby J. Boutwell Sarah A. Plumer

Sarah D. Clark Adaline Woodward

Frances A. Holt Virginia Richardson

These do not include the whole, but are samples of the
material which formed the lyceum. Other names as worthy as
they, are possibly omitted.

This specific club seems not to have been long lived. It
met weekly till Nov. 4, 1851, at which date, declamations were
given by W. H. Grant, Alfred Holt, N. B. Boutwell, Charles
H. Parker and C. B. Jones. The following resolution was
discussed :

"Resolved that the Legislature of New Hampshire ought to enact
laws making it a penal offense to traffic in intoxicating drinks as a
beverage, giving the right to search suspected places, and liberty to des-
troy the contraband article when used for sale."

Debaters.

Affirmative. David Stiles and Charles Carkin.

Negative. Daniel Woodward, Jr. and C. H. Parker.

The resolution was adopted 27 to 4, indicating the strong temperance

394 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

sentiment of the club. " After the discussion, came the reading of the
' Literary Star,' and then a vote, to adjourn to a call of the officers."

Clark B. Jones, Secretary.

Thus ended the work of the Franklin Debating Club.

THE LYNDEBOROUGH LYCEUM.

In the debating club above described probably originated its
longer-lived successor, "The Lyndeborough Lyceum." In
both these organizations, Rev. E. B. Claggett was a prominent
factor. The names of the members were those of the most
active and best-known citizens of the town.

Under date of Lyndeboro', Dec. 7, 1854, we find the follow-
ing record :

"According to previous notice, the friends of the Lyceum met and
transacted the following business :

First. Adopted the Constitution and By Laws.
Second. Chose the following oflTicers :

Luther Cram, President.

Charles Carkin, Vice President.

John H. Goodrich, Secretary.

Henry Richardson, Treasurer.

Elizabeth Claggett and | Editors.
Hannah D. Clark j

J. G. Donnell, S. H. Dyer and Foster Woodward, Executive
Committee."

The Constitution appears to be the penmanship of the Rev.
E. B. Claggett The meetings were held in the town hall
weekly, and continued through the winter to March, 1855.
The names of the members are chiefly those in the preceding
lists.

Those lyceums for mental improvement greatl}'^ assisted in
developing quite a marked intellectual activity among the young
people, and fitted them to express their ideas clearl}' and forci-
bly upon a variety of subjects in which the public was then
interested. The young people of toda}'- have enjoyed greater
advantages, have had training in schools of higher grade, and
a free use of both public libraries and the current literature of
the time ; but the debaters of fifty years ago have, even now,
very few superiors in the power of using a vigorous, sententious,
English speech. Their number, also, formed a very respectable
proportion of the population of the town.

CHAPTER XIX.
lyOCAL Organizations, By J. A. Woodward.

THE " SCATAQUOG " HII^I, SII.VER MINE.

The story of the " Scataquog " Silver Mine is interesting as
probably the only attempt ever made in Lyndeborough to pros-
pect for any of the precious metals.

In 1783, Joshua Partridge, of Medway, Mass., claimed to
have discovered indications of silver in the rock composing the
ledges near the top of "Scataquog" mountain, on land of
Francis Epes. There is a tradition that he used a " divining
rod " in his explorations, and that he had previously discovered
other mines in New England.

He succeeded in interesting many of the early settlers of the
town, and a corporation was formed for the purpose of buying
the land and developing the mine. They blasted a deep ditch
or partly ditch and partly tunnel, into the side of the mountain,
and the excavation can be found at this day, though time and
the action of frost has partly filled it up. The stone is of a
rusty color.

The writer was once there with a man well versed in geology.
He said the stone undoubtedly contained a sulphuret of some-
thing, probably of iron. There was long a tradition that the
owners got enough silver to make a pair of shoe buckles, but it
is highly improbable. They had their labor for their pains.

Names of tlae proprietors of the mine, with their parts of the same. In
the original deed, said Lott considered to consist of 24 shai-es :

Francis Epes, Esq.
Lieut. Thomas Boffee
Mr. Daniel Gould
Rev. Sewell Goodridge
Capt. William Barrons
Maj. Samuel Epes ^
Mr. William Holt
Abraham Wellman
Dea. Ephraim Putnam
Joseph Epes

March 27, 1783. At a meeting of the maj. part of the foregoing pro.
prietors at the house of Capt. William Barrons, Innholder in said town,
to consult upon and come into the best " meathod '' to obtain and dig for

Col. Israel Hutchinson

4
4

Capt. Benjamin Epes
Peter Clark, Esq.
Mr. Samuel Neven

Capt. John Wood
Andrew Fuller, Esq.

Dr. Benj. Jones

En. Nathaniel Phelps

Daniel Eppes, Esq.
Capt. Levi Spaulding

396 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

a mine which they suppose to be in a lot belonging to Francis Epes, Esq.
Accordingly they agreed to give Mr. Eppes three shillings pr. acre, and
Mr. Epes agreed to sell and convey said lot to the proprietors for the
same. Said lot contains acres by estimation amounting to ^19-10-0.

2nd. We agreed said lot should consist of 24 shares.

3rd. We agreed that Mr. Joshua Partridge of Medway should have
the 32d part of the neat profit of said mine for finding the same for us*

4th. Agreed to raise one dollar on a share to purchase necessaries to
begin with,

5th. Agreed to adjourn to Thursday, April 10, at Capt. Barrons.

A true coppy att. by Peter Clark, clerk of proprietors of said mine.

April 10, 1783. Proprietors met according to adjournment.

1st. Chose Capt. William Barron, moderator.

2nd. Chose Peter Clark, clerk and treasurer for the proprietors of y^
mine untill the next annual meeting.

3d. Agreed to chuse a Committee to consist of 5 to form a covenent
and bond for the to enter into and rules of proceedure to the above

mine.

Rev. Sewell Goodridge ^
Peter Clark ( Committee

Lt. Thomas Boffee r

Francis Epes Esq. I

Daniel Gould ^

4th. Agreed to have an annual meeting on the first Wednesday in
October, always to be held in the Town of Lyndeboro.

5th. Agreed that the above committe shall settle all accounts in and
with said proprietors until the first Wednesday in October nest.

6th. Mr. Daniel Gould agreed with the proprietors and promised to
give up one of his shares to the workmen if said workmen were inclined
to have it, if not, to remain to Mr. Gould.

7th. Agreed to raise two dollars more to a share in addition to the
one dollar first raised to furnish supplys for said mine.

8th. Agreed to have a meeting on Wednesday y* 25th day of June
next at the House of Mr. Daniel Gould. Agreed to adjourn to Tuesday
next to meet at the mine.

A true copy of the proceedings.

Peter Clark, Prop' Clerk.

At this meeting of the proprietors at the mine it is recorded that they
"began to open the mine."

May 2, 1783. The Proprietors meet at Capt. William Barrons. Chose
Moderator. Agreed with Lieut. Thomas Boffee to find a good bed and
beding and procure the washing Necessary for the same for two shillings
per month. Chose Lieut. Thomas Boffee, Inspector and overseer of the
work at the mine according to the first article in the Covenant.

Voted to allow 5/ pr. day for what Labours has been done by the day
until this time. Labor that has been done by the day is as follows, viz, :

Days Days

Rev. Sewell Goodridge 4 Peter Clark 4

Lieut. Thomas Boffee 6 William Holt 5>i

Capt. Barron 6>^ Dea. Ephraim Putnam 5>^

Dr. Jones 2>^ Francis Epps 4

Mr. Daniel Gould 4>^ Nathanel Phelps 4

Andrew Fuller Esq. lYz Abraham Wellman 5

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

397

At a meeting, June 25, 1783, it was voted to release Rev. Mr. Sewell
Goodridge from serving on the committee according to his desire, with
a grateful acknowledgement of his good services and chose Capt. Wil-
liam Barron as one of the committee in the " sted " of Mr. Goodridge.

July 9, 1783. Proprietors met according to adjournment. Voted to
receive and examine the " Several and Respective Accounts" Respecting
the Mine and find accounts stand as follows with those persons whose
names are here inserted, likewise find the Expense and cost Exclusive of
the Rum Molasses Powder and iron, Coffee, and Shugar, provided by Col.
Hutchinson to amount to ^2-14-0 to each share, total amounting to
/■64-16-0.

The amount of money

Rev. Sewell Goodridge
Capt. William Barron
Peter Clark
Dr. Benj. Jones
Dea. Ephraim Putnam
Abraham Wellman
En. Nathaniel Phelps

The others lost their time and labor.

' sunk '

'by

the proprietors is as follows :

L,ieu' Thomas Boffee

W"^ Lack

Andrew Fuller Esq.

Francis Epes Esq.

Mr. Daniel Gould

William Holt

LYNDEBOROUGH MUTUAL FIRE; INSURANCE CO.
At about the time of tlie commencement of the Civil War it
was thought by many that the rates of fire insurance companies
on farm property were too high, and that these companies were
taking altogether too much money out of the town. In 1862 the
following named men organized the Lyndeborough Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, the same being incorporated June 2, 1862.

Joel H. Tarbell
Jonathan Stephenson
John F. Holt
David C. Grant
David Holt
John Hartshorn
Harvey Perham
John C. Goodrich
Nathaniel T. Mclntire
John Richardson
Jotham Hildreth
Rodney C. Boutwell
Isaac Iv. Dunklee
Edwin N. Patch
Micah Hartshorn
Burnham Russell
Samuel Jones

Of these thirty-three original incorporators but five are living
at the date of this writing, 1904. John Richardson was the first

Nathan Richardson
Ebenezer Fiske
Peter Clark
Henry Clark
Joseph Haggett
Rufus Chamberlain
Josiah Wheeler
Martin Whitney
William A. Jones
Nelson Kidder
Oliver Bixby
Levi Tyler
Artemas Woodward
Albert Cram
Asa Hill
Eli C. Curtis

398 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

president, William A. Jones the first secretary, and Peter Clark
the first treasurer. Mr. Richardson served as president until
1865, Jonathan Stephenson from 1865 to 1870, Joel H. Tarbell,
from 1870 to 1 89 1, and Nathaniel T. Mclntire from 1891 until
the present time. Dr. Jones (W. A.) was secretary until 1865,
Samuel Jones from 1865 to 1868. At his death John Richardson
was appointed for the rest of the year 1868. Samuel N. Hart-
shorn, 1869 and 1870. John H. Goodrich was chosen in 1871,
and has held the office to date (1904). Peter Clark was treas.
urer from 1862 until his death in 1879, Benj. J. Clark in 1880
and 1881, Daniel B. Whittemore from 1882 to 1893, Jacob A.
Woodward from 1893 to 1896, and Charles ly. Perham from 1896
to date.

The amount of the policies issued is over one hundred thous-
and dollars, and the company has succeeded from the date of its
organization in making the cost of fire insurance in Lyndebor-
ough much less than formerly.

The losses paid since its incorporation are as follows : —

Nathan Richardson, barn struck by lightning but not burned, |i8.oo.

Sumner French, house burned March 11, 1871, ^550. 00.

Leonard G. Brown, barn struck by lightning 1873, l'25.oo.

Martin Whitney, house damaged by fire 1876, $24. 50.

Azro D. Cram, buildings burned Oct. 6, 1881, I535.00.

Oliver Watkins, damage by fire in 1881, $5.00.

Andy Holt, house damaged by fire Oct. 15, 1887, I63.00.

Frank B. Tay, buildings struck by lightning and burned July 31, 1890,
fiooo.oo.

George H. Butler, barn struck by lightning and burned Aug. 13, 1895,
I900.00.

Alice Morse, barn struck by lightning and burned July 25, 1900, J5225.00.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

At South lyyndeborough vSept. 22, 1868, was organized Post
Harvey Holt, No. 15, Department of New Hampshire, Grand
Army of the Republic, by Maj. Samuel F. Murry, with twelve
charter members.

This organization of the soldiers of the War of the Rebellion
has for its objects fraternity among its members, the keeping in
remembrance the dead, who gave their lives that the Union
might live, the decorating of their graves on Memorial Day, and
mutual help and cheer among surviving comrades.

With the help of a small sum of money from the town, this
Post has appropriately observed Memorial Day ever since its or-

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

399

ganization, and with this Order as leader, no town has more sin-
cerely than Lyndeborough paid its just tribute, each returning
30th of May, to the soldier boys who lost their lives on the bat-
tlefield and by wounds and disease.

This Order, also, has been instrumental in having markers
placed at the graves of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War
and the War of 18 12, and these graves are not forgotten in the
services of decoration day.

It is the custom to have an oration and other appropriate ex-
ercises at the hall and a procession to the south cemetery and
the soldiers' monument, where other and fitting exercises are
held. Besides, delegations visit the other yards of the town.

The townspeople very generally observe the day and attend
these ceremonies.

This Post was named in honor of Harvey Holt, a Lyndebor-
ough boy killed at the battle of Bull Run, and one of the first to
lose his life for the cause.

C. Henry Holt
Charles F. Tarbell
George T. Jones
Moses C. Fuller

*Abbott, Willis H.
Atwood, Samuel H.
Brown, George E.
*Burton, John
*Blanchard, George
Baile}-, Charles H.
Bailey, William A.
Buck, Sewell M.
♦Bridges, G. W.
Boutwell, Abram
Batten, Richard
Conant, Charles W.
Cram, Orren N.
* Carter, Charles T.
Cummings, Sam' S.
*Clark, Aaron A.
Cram, George M.-
Cram, Azro D.
Conaut, Albert S.
Curtis, Randall B.
♦Dunklee, George W.
♦Dascomb, James K.
Dickey, David G.

CHARTER MEMBERS.

Joseph Blanchard
John H. Goodrich
William W. Wood
Andy Holt

MEMBERSHIP.
Draper, David S.
♦Emerson, Charles A.
♦Farnsworth, Irving S.
Ford, Alfred T.
Frye, Charles H.
Gordon, Clark S.
Gray, Moses.
*Gage, John
Gould, Benj.
*Hutchinson, Merrill
Herrick, Benj. G.
Holt, Jason
♦Hardy, James L.
♦Hutchinson, Isaac N.
Hutchinson, Charles L.
Howard, John F.
Hanover, U. A.
Hart, Parker
Hall, Henry K.
James, Leonard T.
Key, Joseph H.
Lowe, Isaac
Marshall, Andrew J.
♦Wilton.

John C. Carkin
Everett A. Cram
Fred A. Nourse
Ward N. Cheever

Macomber, S. R.
Ordway, John C.
Putnam, George A.
Pinkham, Charles B.
Proctor, David E. '
Putnam, Byron
Richardson, F'red A.
Ruffle, George
Raymond, George B.
Raymond, John P.
Ryerson, William N.
Smith, Jacob
Sullivan, John
♦Sheldon, John R.
Steele, William P.
Spalding, Merrill T.
Thrasher, F. E.
Woodward, George T.
♦Woods, Charles T.
♦Way, Lucius A.
Winn, George E.

400

HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

1868 Commander C
1869

1869 (July)
1870

1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895

1896 ^

1897 '
1898

1899 "

1900 "

1901 "
1902

1903
1904

OFFICERS.

Henry Holt Adj

Andy Holt
George T. Jones
David E. Proctor
C. Henry Holt
C. Henry Holt
C. Henry Holt
C. Henry Holt
C. Henry Holt
C. S. Gordon
C. S. Gordon
Azro D. Cram
Sewell M. Buck
Sewell M. Buck
A. S. Conant
A. S. Conant
John C. Carkin
John C. Carkin
George M. Cram
Gaylord B. Smith
Byron Putnam
George E. Winn
Jason Holt
A. S. Conant
C. H. Holt
Jason Holt
Andy Holt
Charles H. Frye
John C. Miller
David G. Dickey
Frank B. Tay
George Murch
Andy Holt
Benj. G. Herrick
Jason Holt

George M. Cram
George M. Cram

utant Charles F. Tarbell

" George A. Putnam

" David E. Proctor

" John H. Goodrich

" Charles F. Tarbell

" John C. Carkin

" George E. Brown

Andy Holt

" Andy Holt

" A. »S. Conant

" Azro D. Cram

" Andrew J. Marshall

" Azro D. Cram

" Azro D. Cram
Azro D. Cram

" Azro D. Cram

CHAPTER XX.

Pinnacle Grange, By J. A, Woodward.

The primary objects of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry,
better known as the Grange, were to obtain relief from the un-
just freight tariffs of the railroads of the country, to do away as
much as possible with the services of the army of middle-men
who handled the agricultural products of the land, to thus bring
the producer and the consumer nearer together, and to promote
fraternity and co-operation among its members. Its later aims
are the result of development along other lines.

The National Grange was organized at Georgetown, D. C, in
January, 1873. The order obtained some foothold in New
Hampshire in the summer of that year, the first subordinate
grange being organized at Exeter, August, 1873, with the late
John D. Lyman as master.

The New Hampshire State Grange was organized Dec. 23,
1873, there being then seventeen granges in the state. At this
meeting of the State Grange C. C. Shaw of Milford was ap-
pointed general deputy to promote the interests of the order in
his jurisdiction ; and he held that office by re-appointment until
1879.

The order soon became an influential factor in the interests of
the farmers of the state and nation, and in no section more so
than in New Hampshire, where nearly every community soon
had a branch.

But as the years went by and more favorable conditions ob-
tained in the carrying and handling of farm products, the objects
of the order changed, and education, fraternal and social im-
provement among the farmers came to the front.

Pinnacle Grange, No. 18, Lyndeborough, was organized by
C. C. Shaw, General Deputy of the State Grange, Dec. 26, 1873,
and was the first grange organized after the first meeting of the
State Grange.

During its existence it has been a powerful factor for good
among its members and the people of the town ; possibly no sec-
ular organization more so. The following historical sketch was
written to be read at the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organi-

402 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

zation, and while it was never intended to be included in the
history of the town, it is inserted without further apology : —

Twenty-five years ago the twenty-sixth of last December Pin-
nacle Grange was organized by Bro. C. C. Shaw of Milford. It
came as a sort of belated Christmas present. Bro. Shaw, how-
ever, did not bring it all set up and ready for business, but con-
structed it after his arrival.

He took Andy Holt and made him master, and joined to him
David G. Dickey, overseer, Henry H. Joslin, steward, John C.
Ordway, assistant steward, Edward J. Stephenson, lecturer,
John Richardson, chaplain, Martin Whitney, secretary, James
H. Karr, treasurer, George E. Spaulding, gate keeper, Phebe
A. Ordway, Ceres, Mary E. Dickey, Flora, Annie F. Fuller,
Pomona, and Abby J. Holt, lady assistant steward.

Bro. Shaw looked upon his work when it was done and said it
was pretty good, but recommended careful handling until the
glue should be set and the parts strongly bound together.

And immediately those outside the gates rose up with a desire
to pull it to pieces to see with what material it was stuffed.

The interest in the grange as a farmer's organization first de-
veloped in New Hampshire in 1873. The first grange was or-
ganized in Exeter in the late summer of that year, and Pinnacle
Grange in the closing month, so it appears to be about as vener-
able as any of them.

Of those who were foremost in exciting an interest in the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry in this state but few are known to the
writer of this sketch, but certainly Bro. Shaw labored earnestly
night and day in carrying forward the work. Believing most
sincerely in its principles he spared neither time nor pains in
pushing the work along, and it is probably mostly through his
influence that Pinnacle Grange had an existence. It is to be
wondered if he built better than he knew on that stormy Decem-
ber night.

It is to be regretted that the records of this grange for the first
two or three years are so meagre. The first record is dated Dec.
9, 1873, and is as follows : " Met at the Town Hall to see if a
Grange could be organized. Chose John Richardson Chairman.
Listened to remarks by Eben Thompson. Adjourned to Dec. 18."
Nothing is recorded of those who were present, and the historian
is unable to tell who Eben Thompson was. From the best in-
formation obtainable it is likely that Martin Whitney, James H.
Karr, William H. Clark, Moses C. Fuller, David G. Dickey,

PINNACLE GRANGE 403

Geo. K. Spaulding, Andy Holt and John Ordway were present,
besides the chairman, and it is probable they did not fully com-
prehend the order, then in its infancy.

Under date of Dec. i8, is the statement, "Met by adjourn-
ment, chose Martin Whitney, Secretary, adjourned to Dec.

20th."

Dec. 20, " Met in the absence of the chairman and chose
Eli C. Curtis, chairman for the evening. Chose a committee to
notify Deputy Shaw to come and organize them." That com-
mittee was Martin Whitney, Eli C. Curtis, David G. Dickey,
Henry Joslin and John C. Ordway. They notified Mr. Shaw
to come Dec. 26, at 7.30 o'clock in the evening, and he came as
before stated. That he came that stormy December night from
Milford, through drifting snow and against piercing winds,
shows his devotion to the order.

He found the hall unwarmed and unlighted, but teams were
sent hurrying after this one and that, before enough came to
fill the chairs. One member who has since been a tower of
strength to the order, both in town and elsewhere, said, "The
Grange might go to the blue blazes before he would turn out on
such a night," and he didn't.

The following signed the rolls as charter members :

Andy Holt David G. Dickey

Henry Joslin John C. Ordway

John Richardson Edward J. Stephenson

James H. Karr Martin Whitney

George E. Spalding Moses C. Fuller

Olney P. Butler C. Henry Holt

Eli C. Curtis David Holt

William H. Clark Nathaniel T. Mclntire

Artemas Woodward Jane D. Joslin

Abbie J. Holt Phebe J. Ordway

Mary E. Dickey Annie E. Fuller

Abbie J. Spalding Hattie E. Holt

Clara F. Karr Nancy E. Whitney

Betsey A. Curtis Nancy E. Woodward

The records of the first year simply show the grange in
process of development. David C. Grant was elected master
for 1874. In the records of the meetings of this first year, the
worthy secretary signs his name in a fine, small hand, and in
unexpected places, but in the record of the second election of
officers, he gives almost half a page to his signature with many
a twirl and flourish, as much as to sa)', "Hurrah! That im-
portant matter is well over."

404 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

Martin Whitney was the next master, serving until 1877,
when Andy Holt was again elected. In 1878 it was again
Martin Whitney, master. This taking turns seems to show the
popularity of these two brothers in the order.

The name of Benjamin G. Herrick, a new member, begins to
appear in the records about this time and he was chosen master
in 1879, holding the ofl5ce four years, or until 1883. There
was a period of depression in grange interest during that time,
and it is probable that Pinnacle Grange would have surrendered
its charter if it had not been for his perseverence and determina-
tion that the grange in Lyndeborough should live.

Jacob A. Woodward succeeded Bro. Herrick in the master's
chair, serving two years and was succeeded by Eli C. Curtis, in
1885. Bro. Curtis was one of the charter members, and served
two years. In 1887 and 1888, Jacob A. Woodward was again
master. In 1889, David G. Dickey was master, and was re-
elected in 1890 but declined to accept the ofl&ce ; Andy Holt
was then chosen. William C. Wilder was master in 1891 and
1892. William T. Bowen in 1893. Charles H. Senter in 1894
and 1895.

In 1896, John H. Goodrich, who had served faithfully and
acceptably as secretary for seventeen years, was promoted to
the master's chair. Willie F. Herrick succeeded Bro. Good-
rich in 1897 and 1898, and in 1899, Sister S. Kate Swinington
was chosen master, being the first sister of the order to fill that
position in Pinnacle Grange. William C. Wilder was the
master in 1900, George P. Bradford in 1901, and Charles L.
Perham in 1902, 1903 and 1904. L. Nute Woodward is the
master for 1905.

The dates for holding the meetings have been changed many
times. Some of the j'-ears an attempt was made to arrange the
meetings so that the patrons could come and go b}' the light of
the moon, a great convenience for those living some distance
from the grange hall. At present its meetings are held on the
first and third Tuesdays of the month.

It is inferred from the records that in the first years of its
existence Pinnacle Grange did not do the work of the degrees,
and in the opening and closing of its meetings in the best of
form. But in the process of time, however, a spirit of emula-
tion was developed. The ritual was studied with a view to a
better understanding of the precepts of the order. Grange
discipline was more strictly enforced, and Pinnacle Grange

PINNACLE GRANGE 405

was soon second to none in the order in its efficiency and ex-
cellence of initiatory work.

From 1876 until 1880 may be called the transition period of
the grange in Lyndeborough and in fact throughout the state.
It was a time of much depression in the order. The financial
element had been discounted, and the social and educational
features so prominent now, had not then been thought impor-
tant, and believing that " there was nothing better for a man
than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy
good in his labor," and finding also a very slim attendance at
the meetings, and little or no interest in the work of the order,
this significant record begins to appear : ' ' Voted to have an
oyster supper at our next meeting," and " voted to have a feast
at our next meeting and invite our friends" until it would
appear that oysters and friends were part of the programme of
every meeting. One of the charter members told the writer
that this supper business nearly wrecked the grange. And
yet at the present time some hold to the opinion that if you
wish to get out a large attendance at any particular meeting
you must appeal to the stomach instead of the mind, and as a
matter of fact, the same is true of other organizations besides
the grange.

The debates of Pinnacle Grange have always been character-
ized by an originality of thought, a freshness and breeziness
which would compare favorably with any grange in the land.
Many of the brothers and sisters early developed a talent for
debate. In the earlier years of the grange the subjects dis-
cussed pertained almost wholly to the farm and household, but
later took a wider range and included almost every thing from
political economy to pie. Questions of education, questions of
state and national policy have been formulated and intelligently
discussed. Young members have been encouraged to join in
these exercises and to become accustomed to speak in public.

During the decade from 1880 to 1890 Pinnacle Grange was in
the zenith of its influence and prosperity. It was through its
influence during that time that the town hall at the centre was
enlarged and remodeled, giving the order a larger, lighter and
more convenient home. A " fair " was held, which netted a sum
of money larger probably than that made by any other fair in
town, before or since. The proceeds were used to purchase a
piano for the hall. Its membership and average attendance
were greater than ever before in its history. Its installations at-

406 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

tracted patrons from about every grange in this part of the state.

From the first the sisters have been loyal to the interests of
Pinnacle Grange and earnest in its work. If it were not for the
principle of "opening wide the door" to them, the order would
undoubtedly have been a failure. In its literary work, in its
music, in its banquets Pinnacle Grange would have been an
" arid, barren waste " without them.

The limits of this sketch forbid recording the names of those
who have filled the minor offices in the grange. Some of them
were promoted to the master's chair, and, as a rule, all have en-
deavored to discharge their duties faithfully.

Mention has already been made of the proficiency in debate
of some of the members. A man once said to another, ' ' I have a
friend over there that I want to introduce you to ; I think he will
interest you, he's a mighty good talker." The other replied,
" I don't think I care to meet him; it's a mighty good listener I
want to vStrike." It is doubtful if any of our debaters would
care to talk to empty chairs or an inattentive audience, and in
being good, sympathetic listeners the majority of the members
have exemplified its principles, with how much hope and faith
is not known, but certainly with charity and fidelity.

The grange choir has always been a prominent feature, and
was for many years under the direction of Bro. E. C. Curtis, or
some member of his family. Bro. B. G. Herrick, bass, Bro.
E. C. Curtis, tenor. Sister Phebe A. Ordway, contralto, and
Sister Betsey A. Curtis, soprano, composed the choir in the
early days of the grange.

It seems a much longer time to say a ' ' quarter of a century ' '
than to say " twenty-five years," and in comparison with the
age of Lyndeborough as a town, it is but a small fraction, and
yet the twilight of the past begins to obscure the early scenes
and incidents of Pinnacle Grange life. Against the fading
light some figures stand in sharper outline. The memory of the
faces of some of the brothers and sisters who have taken the
wonderful step over the line into the unknown, which to some
means rest, and to others only the beginning of activities that
shall never end, comes to us this day.

The influence of Pinnacle Grange has modified the home life
of many of the families of the town, mid green leaves and sum-
mer showers or when the light in the window casts a shining
halo over the snowdrifts.

Do not think that its life has been like a river gently flowing

PINNACLE GRANGE 407

between flowering banks : Sometimes the wind blew strong
from down stream, and sudden flaws came from every quarter,
and lively chop seas were raised, but with a little smaller at-
tendance at some of the meetings and a little larger at others, a
little more spirited debate, and all was again calm and serene.

CHAPTER XXI.
Stores and Merchants.

store at i^yndeborough, by j. a. woodward.

The old store-house, as it was called, stood directly opposite
the town hall. It was a large, square, two-storied structure,
with a long " ell " at the south in which was kept the store. It
was said to have been built by one of the Goulds, either George
or Maj. Daniel (most probably the latter), some time previous to
the year 1800. At the time it was destroyed by fire it was said
to be one of the oldest houses in town.

Maj. Daniel Gould was the first storekeeper of whom there is
any tradition. Whether or not there was any store here before
his day, it is not now possible to determine, but it would seem
as if there must have been. But from the time he sold out, or
went out of business, until the year 1 831 it is a matter of tradi-
tion mostly.

Rev. Frank G. Clark in his historical address mentions
Daniel Gould, John Ordway, Nathan Wheeler and Jonathan
and William Clark as merchants at the centre. It would seem
that these must have ' ' kept store ' ' previously to 1 83 1 .

In 1 83 1 Samuel T. Manahan came to Lyndeborough and
bought the store property. It was first the firm of Manahan
& Tubbs. Where this Mr. Tubbs came from or what became
of him is unknown to the writer. His stay was brief, for in the
latter part of that same year Mr. Manahan became sole proprie-
tor. In 1835 he sold out to a man named John J. Martin. In
1836 Oliver Bixby bought out Martin and was in trade until
1838. In the latter year Jacob Hildreth, a brother of Jotham,
formed a partnership with a Mr. Duncklee, under the firm name
of Hildreth & Duncklee. They bought out Bixby. Duncklee
soon sold his interest to Charles French, a son of Isaac
P. French.

In 1843 James G. Woodward bought the store, and the next
year sold it to Anson Woodward and Daniel Woodward, Jr.
James and Anson weie brothers, sons of Ephraim Putnam
Woodward. In 1844 Daniel Woodward, Jr., became sole pro-
prietor, and kept the store until 1847. In that year he swapped
the store-house property with his father and moved to the old

STORES AND MERCHANTS 409

farm over the mountain, and Daniel Woodward, Sr., came to
the centre, but not to keep store. The stock in trade
was sold to David Hawes, but of him there is no record, and a
few months was the extent of time he was in business. In 1848
Oliver Bixby, who had returned to lyyndeborough again, took
the business, renting the store of Mr. Woodward. In 1850 the
firm of Herrick & Donnel was formed and bought out
Bixby. This firm was composed of William J. Herrick and
James S. Donnel.

After Herrick & Donnel was the protective union store, a
sort of co-operative concern which had a brief existence, and
then William J. Herrick again became proprietor. He was
engaged in trade at the center longer probably than any of his
predecessors, but in the early sixties he closed out his stock in
trade and removed to the west.

William W. Curtis then bought the land and buildings and
opened the store, which he kept until the buildings were de-
stroyed by fire. May 13, 1870.

Some time after this Martin Whitney opened a small store in
the carpenter shop of Josiah Wheeler. When this was closed the
center was without a store for a time, or until Thomas A, Wil-
liams opened one in the old Bixby house. He sold to E. K.
Warren, the present owner. The store at the " middle of the
town " was never a source of much profit to its owner. The
long distance which merchandise had to be hauled by team was
a severe handicap to successful competition with the stores of
Wilton, Milford and Nashua, and although there was a good
assortment of those things which a country store generally
carries in stock, the well-to-do farmers found it convenient to
buy by the quantity of the dealers lower down the country.
This explains the frequent change of ownership.

Sometime between 1850 and 1855, L/Cvi Joslin kept the village
store. The time is not positively determined, but like most of
the other tradesmen at the center, his career as merchant there
was brief.

MERCHANTS AT SOUTH I^YNDEBOROUGH, I3Y REV. D. DONOVAN.

Our caption is in the above form, because we are tolerably
certain that the persons named were merchants in the place ;
but are not certain that the names which we are about to give
include all who engaged in trade here.

The first merchant in South lyyndeborough, by general con-

410 HISTOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

sent, was Mr. William Holt, who came here from Greenfield
about 1830. He at first kept a grocery store in what had been
the old dwelling house of Ephraim Putnam, 3rd., the father of
Captain Eleazer. This house stood near where Mr. William P.
Steele's now stands, and had been moved away previous to the
erection of the latter. It was moved across the highway to the
location now occupied by Tarbell's store. Mr. Holt had kept
store there but a short time, when he moved it across the street
again near where the railroad station now stands, whence it was
moved to the spot which it now occupies as the dwelling of Mr.
Ward N. Cheever. Mr. Holt, after its removal, built the house
and store combined, which are now serving as the post ofl&ce
and store of Roy N. Putnam, and the grocery store of Walter
S. Tarbell. Mr. Albert Hardy, who also came from Greenfield,
was Mr. Holt's partner in trade until 1835, when the business
was sold to Mr. Eewis Cram.

The firm of Cram & Daniels then became the successors of
Holt & Hardy. But they continued the business only a short
time, after which Mr. Cram left town and went west.

The next occupant of the store was the firm of Hardy &
Stephenson. Mr. Hardy's home was the place now owned by
Mr. E. H. Putnam. He married Rebecca, daughter of Mr.
Thomas Bradford, and was a leading merchant, and also post-
master in this part of the town. He was chorister at the Baptist
church, and a public-spirited, well-to-do citizen. He removed
to Amherst and engaged in trade there; and went thence to
Nashua. On his departure from Amherst, the handsome gift
of a thousand dollars was received from him. His last will
bequeathed a share of the residue of his estate to the Baptist
church nearest his home at his decease. He died in Nashua.
But the executor of his will long withheld the legacy, and
appears never to have intended the payment of it. Having
almost accidentally learned of this situation, the Rev. W. H.
Eaton, D.D., ferreted out the attempted knavery; and the
church, finally, after litigation, secured some benefit, though
less than it would have received had the will been legally and
honestly executed.

Mr. Hardy's partner in I^yndeborough was the late Mr.
Jonathan Stephenson, whose home was on the ancestral farm,
including the Stephenson Hill, on the spot now occupied by
his son, Mr. Willis Stephenson. The late Mr. Stephenson was
an honored citizen for many years, having filled many oflSces in

STORES AND MERCHANTS 411

the town and served several years as town clerk. He passed
away in November, 1903, in his 97th year.

The successor of the firm of Hardy & Stephenson was Mr.
Robert Burns Wallace. He came from New Ipswich and
bought the store. He remained here but two years.

Next came Mr. Peter Smith from Nashua and engaged in
trade. He continued here, however, but a short time.

Mr. Oilman P. Fletcher of Greenfield carried on the grocery
business for a few years. He sold both his store and
stock to Mr. J. H. Tarbell, who was then keeping the hotel,
called the "Forest House." Mr. Tarbell combined with his
tavern a grocery store, and also kept the post office under the
same roof. Thus he continued in business more than ten years.
He subsequently built a new store and conducted business in it
for a few years. The new building stood on land west of the
freight house of the B. & M. R. R., near the west crossing.

This new store Mr. Tarbell sold to Mr. William W. Young,
who came from Chelsea, Mass., about 1857. Mr. Young con-
tinued in trade about seventeen years, when the railroad came
through our village. His store was in the way of the proposed
railroad track, and the R. R. company bought him out. He
then returned to Chelsea, where he died.

The building was sold by the R. R. Company, and was moved
back from the railroad. The original builder of it, Mr. J. H.
Tarbell, bought it, moved it, remodeled it and made it his
home during the remainder of his life. It remains still the
property of his granddaughter, Mrs. Minnie (Stacey) Hadley.

The former grocery store of Messrs. Hardy & Stephenson and
others was afterwards used for a few years as a shop in which to
shave hoops. Mr. Hezekiah D. Davis carried on the business
and kept a few men in his employ. Some of our residents re-
member well when the shavings were carried across the high-
way and piled up near the Baptist meeting-house, almost as high
as the house, on ground now covered by the R. R. track and the
platform.

The next occupant of this store was Mr. George W. Holt.
He had spent several years away, and about 1861 returned to
his native place and engaged in the grocery trade at that stand.
His health failed and he passed away in 1862, at the age of 36.
Mr. J. H. Tarbell settled his estate and closed out his business
as grocer.

The settling of Mr. Holt's business seemed to Mr. Tarbell

412 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

to require him to resume mercantile life again, first on ac-
count of the sale of Mr. Holt's goods and later on his own
account. He therefore commenced trade again about 1863.
His son, Charles F., served as clerk for a few years, and was
afterwards taken into partnership, thus constituting the firm of
J. H. Tarbell & Son. This arrangement continued several
years, after which, Mr. C. F. Tarbell, by purchase, became sole
proprietor.

Mr. Charles F. Tarbell carried on the trade for several years,
assisted more or less by his father. In 1878 he sold his store to
his uncle, J. A. Tarbell, and devoted his attention to farming,
on the place now owned by Mr. Andy Holt.

Mr. Joseph A. Tarbell had been engaged for a number of
years in the manufacture and sale of flavoring extracts. He
had done quite an extensive business in that line, which he sold
out to his brother-in-law, Mr. Fred B. Richards, in 1878. He
then bought the grocery store and carried it on about two years,
soon after which he removed to Hancock.

Mr. Charles F. Tarbell again bought the store, about 1880.
He continued in it as long as he lived. He died Feb. 24, 1888,
in the forty-fourth year of his age.

After the death of Mr. Tarbell the store passed into the posses-
sion of the elder of his two sons, Walter S. Tarbell, as a part of
his share of his father's estate. He has carried on the business
since 1888. He employed R. N. Putnam several years, after
which his brother, Charles H., entered his employ, and has
served till the present month, December, 1904. Thus, for more
than forty years, though the store has a number of times
changed owners, it has borne the same name, " Tarbell's store."

Among other traders in the place we name Mr. John J. Martin,
for a time in business at the centre of the town, and also first
landlord at the hotel. He was a shoemaker, and kept confec-
tionery and other articles for sale, while employed at the bench
in his shoe shop. The date is uncertain, though probably about
1840. His store and shoe shop were in the house owned by the
late Charles M. Butler.

Another person who kept a small store and did a limited busi-
ness here was Mr. Charles Henry Holt. He was a carpenter,
born in Milford, came to Lyndeborough in 1852, and the same
year married Mary A. Wheeler, daughter of Jonas Wheeler.
When W. W. Young removed from town, where he had been
postmaster many years, Mr. Holt succeeded him.

STORES AND MERCHANTS 413

The post office was then located in the basement of his house,
built by Jonas Wheeler, where he also kept a small stock of sta-
tionery, confectionery, cutlery, fishing tackle, patent medicines,
etc. He owned the place afterwards purchased by Capt. Mclntire
of Hyde Park, Mass., and now owned by Mr. Lawrence of Cam-
bridge, Mass., as a summer residence. He died Jan. 31, 1897,
having served more than twenty-four years as postmavSter at
South Lyndeborough.

Mr. Roy N. Putnam became his successor as postmaster, and
also trader, having rented the premises from Mr. Holt's heirs.
He enlarged his stock of merchandise, adding quite an assort-
ment of footwear and many other articles. When the owners of
the house and shop wished to occupy the place Mr. Putnam
m.oved his goods to his present place of business and established
the post office there ; and he has since added largely to his stock
of boots, shoes and rubbers, besides a few articles of men's fur-
nishing goods, an extensive variety of fancy articles for the
place.

Mr. T. M. Beal, a son-in-law of Mr. Charles Henry Holt,
came here to live in the house occupied by the late Mr. Holt.
He planned and built a projection to the lower story or base-
ment in which the post office was formerly kept, and established
a grocery store, adding a small quantity of dry goods and fancy
articles. He has also carried on a lunch room.

Mr. J. H. Tarbell, wishing his granddaughter, Miss Minnie
E. Stacey, to gain a knowledge of business, fitted up and filled
with merchandise a small dry goods store for her in the front
room of the brown cottage so long the residence of Mr. and Mrs.
E. M. Swasey. Miss Stacey kept this store a few years, but
several causes rendered the business unremuuerative and it was
given up.

The unsold stock from tlie last mentioned store, was trans-
ferred to the one which is now used for the post office and
variety store. This was conducted by Mrs. Lizzie G. Tarbell,
and our public library was kept there, with Mrs. Tarbell as
librarian. But there, also, the sales were light and not very
profitable, so that this, too, w^as given up. After that the space
was filled with shelves and used by Walter S. Tarbell, as a
kind of annex to his store, until secured by our postmaster for
his accommodation.

Such is the store keeping record of our village, so far as now
ascertainable. The store conducted by J. H. Tarbell, Esq., and

41 4 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBOROUGH

his successors in trade has generally kept a large assortment,
and has filled a large place in accommodating the people of our
town.

CHAPTER XXII.

Taverns and Temperance.

tavern keepers.
Were the people of Lyndeborough to be judged by the num-
ber of licensed tavern keepers on the records of the town, they
would doubtless be thought unusually bibulous. But the repu-
tation of our town in that line will not probably be worse than
the average. In most of our towns, tavern -keeping was con-
sidered a respectable, and even a reputable business, until well
along into the nineteenth century. This statement will be illus-
trated by merely citing the name of some of our worthy citizens
who were engaged in that occupation as well as in cultivating
the soil. We cannot attempt to give a full list, nor to classify
very extensively. Commencing with the year 1793, we name:

1793-1798.

EHphalet Badger
Ensign David Putnam
Nathaniel Martin

James Ordway
Capt. Daniel Gould
Capt. William Barron
Daniel Connex

Peter Clark, Esq.

Daniel Putnam 2 days

Benjamen Cram, 2nd.
John Cummings

Eleazar Rhodes
James Taylor

Jedidiah Russell

Oliver Perham
Zaccheus Fairbanks

Isaiah Parker
Solomon Parker
Sarah Ordway

1799.

Artemas Wheeler
1800.

Wheeler & Stiles

NO DATE.

John Hartshorn

1804.

Nathan Wheeler

1805.

1806.

Eleazar Woodward

1807.

John Clark, 2nd.

lycmuel Soules (near meetinghouse)

1808.

Nehemiah Boutwell
Peter Clark, Jr. (at his store)
i8oq.
Eleazar Woodward (at his dwelling) Jacob Manning

Timothy Putnam (one day)
John h. Perry (at his store)

416 HISTORY OF L YNDEBOROUGH

1810.
Timothy Richardson Jeremiah Putnam

David Farriugton 2 days Peter Clark, 3rd.

1812.
Mauley Butler

1814.
William Jones Caleb Blanchard

1820.
Jonathan Cochran

1827.
Oliver Bixby Capt. Jonathan Thayer

Charles Parker

NO DATE.
James McCauley Phineas Whiting

Ellas Mclutire Mark D. Langdon

Jotham Hildreth Samuel T. Manahan

Robert B. Tuppcr

1838.
John W. Adsit

NO DATE.

S. D. and B. Stanley

The list is incomplete, but we trust no one will seriously im-
pugn it for this cause. We judge it possible to add to the list
if desirable.

Yet large as this list of venders of intoxicating drinks is, it
does not warrant the conclusion that our town was a sinner
above others. Neither the records nor the facts would sustain
this. The list includes taverners of two or three generations
with the changes incident to removals, deaths, and discontin-
uance of the business. They were scattered over a wide town-
ship, far from the great cities and the thronging haunts of men.
The custom of the time was to keep liquor on which to treat
guests, and it was a custom too much honored by its observance.
Exceptions were very few, and judged uncourtly if not discour-
teous. Temperance was then little agitated or practised, and
total abstinence was viewed as chimerical. In such respects it
will hardly be said, that "the former days were better" than
those in which we are now living. A change has come, and we
may well consider some of the agencies which had a share in
producing it.

TEMPERANCE INFLUENCES.

The leading agency in awakening and producing temperance
sentiment has undoubtedly been the Christian pulpit. Fanati-
cal people .sometimes berate the attitude of the churches on this
subject ; and it cannot be denied that at times they seem too

TAVERNS AND TEMPERANCE 417

indifferent to the havoc which intemperance is producing even
among church members. But surely, were it not for the
churches and the noble army of temperance workers which they
have equipped and sent forth, conditions would be much worse,
and croakers would be drowned in rum.

The Rev. Benjamin F. Clark, a native of this town, who sup-
plied the pulpit of the Congregational church in 1838, gave
some very interesting reminiscences of his boyhood which
finely illustrate this matter. In a letter to Mr. D. C. Grant,
January 17, 1879, he wrote : *

" I well remember the excitement produced on the Fast day in April,
1827, a few days before I left my home, with Palmer and Woodward for
East Tennessee. Instead of a sermon, Mr. Merrill read the celebrated
lecture by Kittridge of Lyme, on temperance, which contained the
statement that ' one gallon of rum used as a beverage in the town of
Lyme, is just four quarts too much.' The good old men of the church,
including my honored father, went out of the house vexed, if not mad.
My father said, ' Why did Mr. Merrill read that foolish lecture ? We
cannot get our hay without rum. It will rot in the field.' When I re-
turned home in 1S37, I found all those good men pledged to total absti-
nence. They acknowledged that haying and all other kinds of farming
work could be better performed without rum than with."

The subject of temperance was receiving more and more
attention year by year, and societies were organizing for the
promotion of it. Soon after Rev. E. B. Claggett became pastor,
a society was organized in Lyndeborough for the suppression
by " all honorable exertions of the unlicensed traffic in ardent
spirits," and "the relief of widows and orphans. " It adopted
the following constitution : t

"Art. I. No man shall belong to this society who is not known as a
tried friend to the cause of temperance, believing in the expediency of
using legal suasion.

Art. 2. Every member shall pay all assessments on the subscription
set against his name, made by a board of directors hereafter specified.

Art. 3. This society shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary,
and a board of directors.

Art. 4. It shall be the duty of the board of directors to record all
testimony that may come to their knowledge against unlicensed traC&ck-
ers in ardent spirits in this and other towns in Hillsborough County ; to
commence prosecutions and see that they are carried on ; to make all
necessary assessments on the money subscribed in order to meet the
expenses of the society, and pay the assessments made by the county
committee ; and to call a meeting of the society whenever they think
circumstances require it.

* Hillsborough County History, page 510.
t Constitution presented by J. A. Johnson, Esq., secretary, May 13, 1848.

418

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

The names of subscribers, and sums forming the basis for assessments
follow :

Names
Eliphalet Atwood
Peter Clark
Benjamin Goodridge
Harvey Holt
John Hartshorn
Jonathan Stephenson
Amos Pratt
Foster Woodward
Samuel Jones
Nathaniel T. Mclntire

Sums
Ixo.oo

lo.oo
5.00
5.00

10.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00

Names Sums

Jacob Butler |io.oo

David Holt 10.00

William Jones 10.00

Josiah Wheeler 10.00

Eli Curtis 3.00

Joseph A. Johnson 5.00

Joseph Chamberlain 10.00

E. B. Claggett 10.00

John Richardson 10.00

R. C. Boutwell 10.00

John C. Goodridge 10.00

Lyndeborough has not the reputation of being an intemperate
town. It is true, that while the glass works were in operation
at South I^yndeborough, there was said to be much drinking
among the employees ; and sad traces of it have too long
remained. But in those very days, an active temperance organ-
ization sprang up to counteract the evil.

The records of this organization show that on Sept. 24, 1S76, a tem-
perance lecture was delivered in the Baptist Church at 4.30 o'clock P. M.
by Dr. Benjamin Colby. The audience was evidently interested, for a
meeting was appointed at the same place, the next evening, Monday at
7 o'clock P. M. to take some action on the subject of temperance. At
this meeting Mr. Luther Cram was appointed chairman ; and Mr. Rufus
Chamberlain, " President of the division of Sons of Temperance," made
remarks. Mrs. Burdette, a member of a "reform club" in Beverly^
Mass., followed, and spoke for about an hour, and a total abstinence
pledge was circulated for signatures. The form was, " Believing the
use of all spirituous and malt liquors to be the cause of much crime and
sorrow, we do hereby with the help of Almighty God, pledge ourselves
to abstain from the sale or the use of all intoxicating drinks, wine or
cider, as a beverage."

Fifty-seven signed this pledge at the time. A short discus-
sion ensued, after which officers were elected as follows ; Presi-
dent, F. B. Richards; Vice-President, H. Cutter; Treasurer,
Mrs. William Wallace ; Secretary, William R. Warner. The
President, Vice-President and Secretary were chosen a com-
mittee to prepare a constitution and by laws. The organi-
zation was called " The South Lyndeborough Reform Club."

A break in the records deprives us of a full account of its
proceedings ; but the meetings are said to have been maintained
with a good degree of interest. Ninety- two signatures, in all,
were appended to the above pledge, two of which were for one
year only.

TAVERNS AND TEMPERANCE 419

At the election of officers in April 1877, Mr. lyiither CTam
was chosen President, William R. Warner, Vice-President, and
Edward M. Roby, Secretary. The last meeting recorded was
on March 7, 1878. The Reform Club as an organization, thus
had its day and ceased to be.

The writer does not endorse the doctrine of the ' ' transmigra-
tion of souls," taught by an ancient Greek philosopher; but
something very much resembling this seems to have occurred in
South I^yndcborough. For after the quiescence of the Reform
Club, the Sons of Temperance increased in number till they
reckoned about seventy names and seemed to be filled with the
energy of the reform spirit. Thus, the work of reform did not
cease, although the organization bearing its name ceased its
operations.

SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

The temperance organization above named, had its local
representative here, called the " Lithleukonia Division of Sons
of Temperance, No. 29, of South Lyndeborough." * Officers,
David Putnam, G. W. P.; Rufus Chamberlain, W. P.; Fannie
A. Wallace, W. A. P.; Luther Cram, R. S.; Letitia McGinley,
A. R. S.; Edgar Danforth, F. S.; J. A. Johnson, Treasurer;
William B. Warner, Chaplain; Olney P. Butler, Conductor;
Ida M. Newton, A. Conductor; Ruth Ross, I. S.; George
Ruffle, O. S. These were duly installed by Mr. Thorndike,
G. W. P., of the State Division of Sons of Temperance. This
organization was very flourishing for a time, and accomplished
much good.

When, in 1903, the question of licensing the evil traffic in
intoxicating drink in our town, was presented for decision, it
was very gratifying also, to our better citizens, that while only
seventy-four votes, in all, were registered, sixty-seven of them
were against license. Hence, neither in former days could our
town justly be ranked as intemperate, nor can it be at the pres-
ent time. Today, at least, there is no open sale of liquor within
its borders. While, therefore, its record is not all that its
sturdiest, best citizens could wish, they are proud and grateful
to have it as favorable as it is ; and they think that it will
average fairly with that of sister towns.

May it never grow worse ! !

* Substance furnished by J. A. Johnson, Ksq.

420 HIS TOR Y OF L YNDEBORO UGH

BAND OF HOPE.

A flourishing "band of hope" existed soon after the other
temperance societies were formed, but no records have been
found.

THE woman's christian TEMPERANCE UNION.

In the autumn of 1887, a W. C. T. U. was organized in South
Lyndeborough, with Mrs. Emily C. Tarbell as President, and
Miss Emma D. Putnam as Secretary. These officers soon after-
wards removed from town, and in 1889, the organization became
extinct.

A second society of the same name was formed in Dec. 1896,
when the officers were, Mrs. Martha M. Farrar, President J
Mrs. Dorcas Colson, Vice-President ; Miss Hattie D. Steele,
Recording Secretary ; Mrs. L. R. McGinley, Corresponding
Secretary ; and Mrs. Carrie Cheever, Treasurer. The organi-
zation was active for a time, seeking to increase interest in
temperance work by means of lectures, essays, addresses from
pastors and prayer services. Once the county convention of
the W. C. T. U. was entertained by them, holding a meeting
of unusual interest and spiritual fervor. But the membership
was never large, and the work became burdensome and difficult
for the few, and active operations were suspended finally,
May II, 1902.

THE EOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION.

A lyoyal Temperance Eegion was organized in 1897, as a
child of the W. C. T. U. and indicated the interest of the women
in the rising race. It was carried on for a short time by Mrs.
Lizzie Richards assisted by Miss Marion Hartshorn. Later,
Mrs. Lizzie Tarbell had charge for a while ; and still later,
Mrs. Carrie Cheever had charge, conducting the exercises for
two or three years. The aim was to instill temperance prin-
ciples into the minds of the children, and the legion is thought
to have won a good degree of success. But the members of
the society finally grew remiss, interest in the meetings waned,
and like all living things, the legion found "a time to die."

GUARDIAN FOR INTEMPERATE MAN.

The advocates of present day license of the liquor traffic
would, doubtless, regard the following procedure as a sad
infringement of sumptuary privileges.

TAVERNS AND TEMPERANCE 421

To the Hon. Luke Woodbury, Judge of Probate, at, within, and for
the County of Hillsboro.

The undersigned Selectmen of the town of Lyndeborough in said

county, represent that of said Lyndeborough, an inhabitant

thereof, by excessive drinking, idleness and vicious habits, is so wasting,
spending, or lessening his estate as thereby to expose himself and his
family to want, and the said town to the charges and expense of main-
taining him and his family.

Wherefore, they request that a guardian may be appointed over said
as the law in such cases directs.

Signed I It'""^^ T. Manahan,
° (. Ebenezer Fiske.

Lyndeborough, Aug 2, 1842.
Hillsborough Ss.

Probate Court at Temple, Aug. 3, 1842.

On the foregoing complaint it is Ordered, that the same be heard at
the Probate Court to be holdeu at Amherst on the 4th day of October

next, at which time and place the said is hereby cited to

appear to answer thereunto ; and an attested copy thereof and of this
order is to be served on him at least fourteen days before said Court,
and an attested copy of the same (if by the Selectmen thought expe-
dient) left with the Town Clerk as soon as may be after the service on
the said to the end that he may appear, and also be pre-
vented from making any sale or contract.

By order, S. Peabody, Regr.

Received Aug. S, 1842 in the Town Clerk's Oflice, and Recorded and
Examined.

By Jonathan Stephenson, Town Clerk.

Whether the legal process above outlined was carried out in
all its particulars or not, does not appear on the town records.
But it was surel}'^ a sensible mode of guarding against such
pauperism as naturally results from intemperance.

CHAPTER XXIII.
MAII.S, Post Routes, And Stages.

BY J. A. WOODWARD.

The first settlers of Salem-Cauada and Lyndeborough had
no postal facilities, and probably gave such matters very little
thought. When they came with their families into the forests
to make homes, they knew they were severing themselves from
all communication with their relatives and friends except at
infrequent times. The sending or receiving of a letter was not
the common occurrence that it is now, and the contents of a
letter received was made known to the neighbors all around if
it contained news not personal to the receiver. lyCtters might
be sent by special messenger or by the hand of a neighbor
going on a visit to some of the lower towns.

Newspapers they did not have for a long time or until the
"Farmers' Cabinet" began to be published at Amherst, ex-
cept perhaps a stray copy of some Boston paper that found its
way into the backwoods.

These pioneers had little time to read, and but very few
books could be found in most of the houses. The labor of
building their houses and barns, of clearing their land and
fencing it with stone walls occupied pretty much all their time,
and involved the expenditure of so much muscular energ5%
that they were little inclined to sit up evenings and read even if
they had books. This condition of things continued until the
establishment of the post oflBce at Amherst and the building of
the second New Hampshire turnpike in 1800, although it is
probable that from 1780 until 1800 more letters passed back and
forth than in the earlier years.

The turnpike road was built from Nashua to Claremont and
passed through the northeast part of L,yndeborougli. Then
came stages and stage routes ; and letters and the " Farmers'
Cabinet ' ' were left at the tavern .stands to be called for. They
were left at Isaiah Parker's, where George Barnes lives now,
and at the I,ynch place now in New Boston, then known as
Beech Tree Corner.

One of the Goodrich family went to the Parker Tavern in
18 12 to get his "Cabinet" and found the proprietor dead of

MAILS, POST ROUTES AND STAGES 423

spotted fever, a man who at uoon of that day was apparently
sound and well.

Before the establishment of the post office at L,yndeborough
Centre those who lived south of the mountain used to take
turns in going to Amherst for the mail, letters being addressed
"To be left at the post office at Amherst." This Amherst
office was established in 1791 and the office at Wilton in 181 6.
It is probable that some of the people of the south part of the
town got their mail at Wilton for two or three years. The
earlier stages over the turnpike made two trips a week, and
later there was a daily stage.

L,yndeborough was not included in the towns accommodated
by post riders. One of these post routes or post circuits was
arranged in 1791 as follows: Beginning at Concord, thence to
proceed through Weare, New Boston, Amherst, Wilton,
Temple, Peterboro, Dublin, Marlboro, Keene, West Moreland,
Walpole, Alstead, Acworth, Charlestown, Claremont, Newport,
Lemster, Washington, Hillsboro, Henniker, Hopkintou to Con-
cord. It will be seen that this "route" went completely
around Lyndeborough.

The rates of postage in those days were for a single sheet of
paper :

Under 40 miles 8 cents

" 90 " 10 "

" 150 " iiYi "

" 300 " 17 "

" 500 " 20 "

Over 500 " 25 "

If the letter was composed of two pieces of paper the rate
was doubled, if of three it was tripled and so on.*

Prepayment was not demanded, and people were frequeutl}-^
obliged to pay a heavy postage on letters of no value. There
was little money in circulation in those days, and the sixpence,
ninepence or shilling they had to pay on their letters seemed a
heavy tax.

Most of the business was done by barter, and in a year's
transactions one man in I^yndeborough gave his note for $2.50,
balance due in settlement, and he owned a number of hundred
acres of land, free of debt. It was a common thing to give a
note for sums of one or two dollars.

The rate of postage to Boston was ten cents for a single

* We are indebted to Rev. Mr. Cochran's Francestown History for many facts about
the mail.

424 HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH

sheet. The evils attending the non-enforcement of prepaying
postage led to an agitation, which, in 1855, resulted in a law
compelling prepayment.

In 1868 newspapers were made free of postage in the county
where published. Postage stamps were finst used in this
country in 1847, but did not come in common use until some
years later.

The rate for letters for a long term of years was 3 cents for
^ ounce or fraction thereof. In 1883 it was reduced to two
cents for one ounce.

April 29, 1822, the post office at Lyndeborough Centre was
established, with Oliver Bixby as postmaster. The mail was
then brought to Mont Vernon by stage, dnd Jacob Butler carried
it from there through Lyndeborough to Greenfield twice a week.
At first he went horseback and carried the mail in two capacious
saddle-bags, each holding about half a bushel. I,ater he drove
a horse and wagon. This route was continued until the open-
ing of the Forest road in 1 83 1 .

Most of the time the post office was at the store. Oliver
Bixby, Samuel T. Manahan, Daniel Woodward, Jr., James S.
O'Donnel, William J. Herrick, William W. Curtis, Oliver P.
Hutchinson, Martin Whitney and Thomas A. Williams all
kept the office at the store.

David Stiles kept it at his house, where William H. Clark
now lives. Mr. Stiles used to put the mail in a box on a
table, and every one sorted the contents and picked out his
own, if he had any. It was not until 1843 that any case or
boxes were used and this w^as a very rude affair, with a glass
front where the letters were put with the address side outward.
Persons finding there a letter belonging to them frequentl}^
opened the door and helped themselves. The post office was
always opened Sunday noon ; the room was warmed in winter,
and before .stoves were put in the church this place was a
favorite resort. Women would come and replenish the coals in
the foot warmers to last through the afternoon service, and the
men lingered to get thoroughly warmed up for the same ordeal.

After the post office at South Lyndeborough was established
the mail was brought from there twnce a week, and later the
service was increased to a daily mail.

Following Jacob Butler, David Stiles, Jr., carried the mail
for a time. Hiram Cram was one of the early carriers. For a
time Artemas Woodward had the contract, and it was while

MAILS, POST ROUTES AND STAGES 425

carrying the mail that his wife was thrown from a wagon and
killed. She and Huldah Woodward were returning from the
village at the " Centre." Miss Woodward got out of the wagon
at the corner to go to her home ; when the team started down
the hill the holdback strap became unhitched and the horse (a
blind one) ran away, throwing Mrs. Woodward out and, her
head striking the ledge, she was instantly killed.

In i860 the mail was brought from Wilton daily by Dr.
William A. Jones, but as he was frequently called to visit a
patient from out of town, the mail took a very circuitous route
sometimes and was what you might call irregular.

With the coming of the railroad to South Lyndeborough a
daily mail was brought from there to the office at the centre,
l^evi P. Spaulding carried it for a number of years, and it was
carried by the milk teams of Fred A. Richardson and William
H. Clark. As the milk teams left South Lyndeborough before
the arrival of the forenoon train, the mail had to remain at the
South Lyndeborough office for twenty-four hours, a cause of
much vexation. When Byron Putnam became a carrier this
was remedied. There have been many mail carriers on this
route. Azro D. Cram was one, Dana B. Sargent another, and
others whose names we cannot recall.

The post office at the "middle of the town " accommodated
the whole town from 1822 to 1835. The south part of the
town, Johnson's Corner and North Lyndeborough, got their
mail there. It was kept in private houses most of the time
after the old store was burned, May 13, 1870. Martin Whitney
and Thomas A. Williams were the exceptions, thej^ kept it in
stores.

The free delivery of the mail at farmers' homes had been
advocated for a few years by the Order of Patrons of Husbandry,
perhaps better known as the "Grange." Many thought the
scheme impracticable and visionary and too expensive to be
ever carried into effect. But persistant effort on the part of its
friends caused the government to make the experiment, and the
result of that experiment has been the establishing of rural free
delivery routes all over the farming sections of the country. It
proved a success from the start and now the great majority of
the farmers have their mail brought to their doors once a day at
government expense. Contrast this ser\ace with that of a
hundred years ago, and the thought comes, what will the next
hundred years bring in the way of improved mail facilities.

426 HTSTOR Y OF L YNDEBdRO UGH

The first free delivery route was established March i, 1901,
Bcnjaniin H. Joslin carrier. The post office at the centre was
discontinued June 30, 1902, and its patrons served by rural free
delivery route No. i.

The following is a list of the postmasters with the dates of
their appointment, each holding tlie office until his successor
was appointed :

Oliver Bixby April 29, 1822 William W. Curtis Feb. 2, 1867

Samuel T. Manahan May 12, 1832 William H. Clark Apr. 22, 1872

David Stiles Apr. 23, 1835 John C. Ordway Oct. 21, 1875

David Stiles, Jr. May 2, 1837 Oliver P. Hutchinson Nov. 22, 1875

William G. French Dec. 20, 1841 Fred K. Ranger June 8, 1877

Daniel Woodward, Jr. Apr. i, 1843 Martin Whitney Oct. i, 1878

Oliver Bixby Apr. 23, 1849 Jacob A. Woodward Jan. 13, 1881

James S. Donnell Apr. 18, 1854 Benjamin J. Boutwell Feb. 28, 1882

William J. Herrick Aug. 7, 1855 Thomas A. Williams June 27, 1889

The post office at South L,yndeborough was established
March 3, 1835, with William Holt postmaster.

With the opening of the Forest road in 1831 came a stage
line, which ran as far north as Charlestown. Prior to 1837
there were connected with the line between Wilton and Han-
cock, Mr. Iram Woods, two young men by the name of Wyman,
a Mr. Pennock, Nathan Dane, George W. Tarbell and probably
others, either as proprietors or drivers.

In December, 1837, Hon. Hiram T. Morrill bought Mr. Tar-
bell's interest, and soon after Mr. Dane sold his to Mr. Phelps,
and in 1840 Mr. Phelps sold to Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall retained
his interest but a short time, when R. R. Howison and How-
land Prouty, both of Milford, became partners of Morrill.
After a few years, Mr. Prouty sold to Morrill and Howison,
who retained their interest in the line until they sold it in
October, 1870, to the railroad company. This company ran the
line until the railroad was opened to Greenfield.*

Among the drivers were Klbridge Harris, Charles lycavett,
Ezra Pettingill and John N. P. Woodbury.

When the office at South Ivyndeborough was first established,
there were but three mails a week. This was increased to a
daily service in a year or two.

William Holt and lyCwis Cram presumablj^ kept the post
office in private houses, but when Joel H. Tarbell was appointed
postmaster it was kept for man}- years at his tavern. When he
built the store, which used to stand on land now crossed by the

• * Wilton History.

MAILS, POST ROUTES AND STAGES 427

track of the railroad, the office was removed there, and was kept
there while Mr. Young was postmaster. C. Henry Holt ran a
small store in connection with the office and at this writing it
is kept at the store of Roy N. Putnam, the present postmaster.

The amount of mail received and forwarded has always ex-
ceeded that of the office at the centre.

Two rural free delivery routes are run from this office. Route
No. I has already been mentioned. Route No. 2, Harry W.
Holt carrier, serves the postal needs of the west and northwest
parts of the town and also a part of Greenfield.

The following is a list of the postmasters with the dates of
their appointment.

William Holt March 3, 1835 William W. Young May 25, 1863

Lewis Cram May 2, 1836 Charles H. Holt Sept. 30, 1872

Joel H. Tarbell Jan. 19, 1839 Roy N. Putuam May 6, 1897

The post office at North Lyndeborough was established May
II, 1857, with John H. Goodrich, postmaster. This office was
on the post route from Danforth's Corner (now Ponemah
Station) to Fraucestown and the down mail was on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, and the up mail Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday. Ezra Pettengill of Wilton was the carrier.

About the year 1858, he sold out the stage route to Amaziah
W. Wood of Hatfield, Mass. He drove the stage until April,
1868, and then sold to Edgar A. Danforth, then of Amherst,
who owned and operated the route until 1874, when he sold to
Walter Woods of New Boston.

Milford was made the terminus of the route with the coming
of the railroad, and while Mr. Danforth ran the route, it was
changed to a daily trip and consequently there was a daily mail.

In 1893 the route was changed from Milford to South Eynde-
borough and North Eyndeborough, with Levi P. Spaulding and
Charles B. Hills as carriers.

When the railroad came to New Boston, the route to North
Lyndeborough was changed to that place Sept. i, 1893, Joseph
Chandler and others, carriers. Alvin R. Smith was the last
and carried the mail until the office was discontinued. This
occurred June 29, 1901, and John H. Goodrich and wife ended
a faithful service of over forty years. Many of the patrons
of this office are now served by rural delivery route No. 2,
which was established July i, 1901, Alvin R. Smith, carrier,
with New Boston as headquarters.

The others are served by rural delivery route No. i, having
headquarters at South Lyndeborough.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Roads and Bridges.

The roads laid out in lyyndeborough form a source of some
perplexity for several reasons. First, they will be found quite
numerous ; secondly, they are very minutely described ; thirdly,
some of them are not easily traceable ; fourthly, quite a number
of them are "thrown up " or abandoned as useless ; and fifthly,
some of them are supposed never to have been much more than
" bridle paths."

For these reasons it would be well nigh impossible to give
any adequate description of the old roads at the present day.
Yet a history which should omit some attempt in that direction,
must incur a suspicion of negligence or indifference to matters
of interest and importance. We will therefore, endeavor to
present some names and notes of the liigliways laid out.

I. The first road came from Narragansett No. 3, now Am-
herst, to the meeting house in Salem-Canada, and is thus de-
scribed by Rev. Frank G. Clark.* " This first road came up by
what used to be called the crotch of the brooks and into Johnson
Corner by the place formerly occupied by John Carson, south
of David Clark's ; after passing Willis Perham's place, and
near the Israel Curtis place and George Rose's, it came out at
what was then the centre of the town, Putnam hill in South
Lyndeborough, near where Mr. Edwin H. Putnam now lives."
It was over this road that Rev. Sewall Goodridge with his
young wife, Phebe (Putnam) Goodridge, of Danvers, Mass.,
came into town " in a two wheeled chaise, a vehicle that had
scarcely been seen in any of our towns at that early period. Mr.
Jacob Wellman was decidedly of the opinion that they would
not be able to come through with the carriage, or at least, that
the lady would not have courage to ride in it all the way.
Accordingly, he saddled and pillioned his horse, thinking he
might have the honor of bringing the bride himself. But it
was finally concluded that the minister and his wife should both
keep their seats, while six strong men followed behind to keep
the chaise right side up." t This road came through the home

» Page 32 of this history, and also Salera-Canada. page 21.
tRev. E. B. Claggett, S-Canada, pp. 47-48.

ROADS AND BRIDGES 429

lots of the town, and wound around past the David Carkin
place, now Mr, Norbourn's summer residence, and past the
Manuel, or Lucas place, by Moses Stiles's, where Mr. Rufus
Chamberlain now lives, and so down across Mill Brook and up
the hill past the old fort to the meeting-house.

2. The second road was laid out to meet the road which the
Ashuelot towns were proposing to build, and did build.* The
proprietors having learned of this purpose, promptly voted "to
make a good and sufficient way from the place where the said
road is brought into this town to the end of the road cleared by
Tarbell and Richardson to or near the centre of " this township.
This road as described by Rev. F. G. Clark, t "passed from
Putnam hill by Emory Holt's place, around Stephenson hill,
and by David Grant's and Deacon Mclntire's over the moun-
tain, and was the first and only road for many years to what is
now Greenfield."

3. On Dec. 10, 1741, the proprietors voted " that there be
a good cartroad cleared from Deacon Putnam's sawmill to the
meeting house, and that three pounds be allowed for the same,
to be drawn out of the treasury."

This road was the third so far as appears. The mill was
located on the stream which forms Barnes', or as now, Gaerwin's
falls, and stood a short distance above the falls. Traces of this
old road are still visible. It was one of Wilton's early roads,
running down the hill by the Jacob Putnam place northward,
passing the old Philip Putnam place, and still down into