Coos County
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Dalton was formed in this manner. Moses Little & Co., who had purchased most
of the rights in Chiswick, (granted November 17, 1764) discovered that a large
tract of unclaimed land lay adjoining on the north. This was the 10,000 acres
vacated by Lancaster when it changed its boundaries. These gentlemen, by the aid
of Col. John Hurd, of Haverhill, who was influential with Gov. Wentworth,
secured a charter, January 18, 1770, for Apthorp, which covered the greater part
of Chiswick and the 10,000 acres of unclaimed land on each side of John's river.
The Apthorp proprietors soon quit-claimed the 10,000-acre tract to Col. Hurd for
a nominal sum. He sold this to Dalton & Tracy, who purchased 6,000 more acres
from the Littles, and, November 1, 1784, these 16,000 acres were incorporated as
the town of Dalton; the remaining part of Apthorp being made the town of
Littleton on the same day. (The lower line of Lancaster originally ran near the
old Cushman tavern, and its southeast corner was near Round pond in Whitefield.)
Tristram Dalton, born in Newburyport, Mass., June, 1738, graduated at
Harvard college when but seventeen, and became a lawyer. He was speaker of the
House of Representatives of Massachusetts, a member of the state Senate, and a
senator in the first United States Congress after the adoption of the Federal
constitution. After a long life of wealth and luxury, he was reduced to poverty
by a villainous partner in Washington, and returned to Newburyport, where his
last years were spent as surveyor of the ports of Boston and Charlestown. He
died in 1817. He was a most lovable character, an earnest Christian, and a
gentleman of the purest type. He lived in habits of intimacy and friendship with
the first four presidents of the United States, and was honored by their
confidence and sympathy.
The first settlers were Moses Blake and Walter
Bloss; Coffin Moore was the third settler. In 1773 the whole township,
comprising what is now Littleton and Dalton, contained but fourteen inhabitants.
PETITION FOR A DIVISION OF APTHORP.
"To the Honourable the
Council and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire in General
Court assembled —
"Humbly shew the Subscribers owners of the Town of
Apthorp in the County of Grafton within the said State, that the said Town of
Apthorp is large and capable of making two Towns by a proper division of the
same; that in its present undivided situation the settlement and cultivation
thereof must be attended with very great difficulty if practicable; that the
subscribers are greatly desirous to settle and improve their lands there as well
for the benefit of the State & the country adjacent as for themselves — That
Tristram Dalton and Nathaniel Tracy Esquires two of the subscribers own in fee
simple in severalty from the other proprietors of that Town the following part
thereof that is to say beginning at the Easterly corner of said Town, thence
running South fifty-six degrees west eighteen hundred n.ds adjoining on the
South East side line of said Town thence running North twenty six degrees west
about six miles or be the same more or less until it comes to Connecticut River;
thence by Connecticut River Easterly till it comes to the Northerly corner of
said Town then North twenty-six degrees East adjoining on the North Easterly
side line of said Town about five miles until it comes to the Easterly Corner of
said Town. That your petitioners apprehend that the lands owned by said Dalton
A: Tracy are sufficient to form one Town & that the residue of the lands in said
Apthorp are sufficient for another Town — and that a division of the Town in
that maimer into two towns would be exceedingly beneficial to the proprietors
and the public — Wherefore the Subscribers humbly pray that your honours would
in your wisdom and goodness divide the said Town as aforesaid and of the lands
therein owned by the said Dalton and Tracy erect and incorporate a Town by such
name as shall be agreeable to your honours; and of the residue of the lands in
said Apthorp your honours would erect and incorporate a Town by the name of
Apthorp. And as in duty bound shall ever pray.
"June 1783. Tristram
Dalton, Nat Tracy."
The word " Franklin " was pasted under the word
Apthorp, signifying that they had that name under consideration.
PETITION FOR FERRY.
"State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
"To the
Hon'l General Court to be convened & holden at Portsmouth on the last Wednesday
of November 1791.
"Humbly sheweth Moses Blake of Dalton in said Dalton.
a convenient place for keeping a public ferry across the River Connecticutt, &
that the keeping thereof will very much commode the public. Therefore he prays
your Honors lo Grant him his Heirs & assigns forever the Sole & exclusive
privilege of opening & keeping a ferry over said River, beginning at the head of
the fifteen mile falls, so called & so far up said River as may appear proper to
your Honors & he as in duty bound will ever pray &c "
"Dalton Sept. 23d
1791. Moses Blake"
Recommendation of Selectmen of Littleton. — " State of
New-hampshire County of Grafton ss
We the subscribers Selectmen of Littleton
in the County aforesaid — hereby certify — that we have been informed that Mr.
Moses Blake of Dalton petitioned the General Court of this State at there last
Session, for the Grant of a Ferry over Connecticut River at the place where the
said Blake lives in Said Dalton — and we are of the opinion that a Ferry at said
place would accomodate the public. and further that he is the most proper person
to attend a Ferry at that place — and pray your Honors (in behalf of the Public)
to grant the prayer of Said Blake —
"Dated at Littleton the 27th day of
April 1792
"Eben'r Pingree, Eph'm Bayley, James Williams} Selectmen"
'Recommendation of Selectmen of Lancaster. — " State of New-hampshire County of
Grafton ss
We the Subscribers Select of the Town of Lancaster in the County
aforesaid hereby Certify — that Information has been given that Mr. Moses Blake
of Dalton, adjoining said Lancaster, Petitioned the General Court of said State
at their Session at Portsmouth last winter, for a Grant of a public Ferry over
Connecticutt River at the place where the Said Blake lives in said Dalton, and
it is our opinion that Granting the prayer of said Petition would be of public
utility — and said Blake is the most proper person to attend to, and take care
of the Same, — therefore pray Your Honors that a Grant be made accordingly
"Lancaster the 26th day of April 1792
"Emmons Stockwell, John Weeks,
Jeremiah Willson} Selectmen of Lancaster"
Recommendation of Walter Bloss.
— " State of New-hampshire County of Grafton ss
"This may certify that
Information has been given that Mr. Moses Blake of. Dalton Petitioned the
General Court at their last Session for a Grant of a Ferry over Connecticutt
River, where the said Blake lives in said Dalton, and it is my opinion that the
said Blake ought to have the privilege, and that he is the most proper person to
attend the Same — and pray Your Honors to Grant the Prayer of sd Blake
"Dalton April 27th 1792, Walter Bloss"
The ferry petitioned for was
granted June, 1792.
Petitions for Taxing Non-Residents. — "To the
Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened and now
sitting this 12th day of February 1791 —
"The petition of the Selectmen
of Littleton in said state Humbly shew that an act passed the General Court
January 1789 — directing the Selectmen of said Town for the time being to assess
and cause to be collected all publick Taxes due there from prior to the first
day of January 1789 on the lands of the proprietors of said Town in one tax bill
in way and manner as taxes by Law are collected of Non, resident proprietors in
other Towns in this state which act your petitioners would most chearfully
complyed with had it been in their power but said Littleton together with a Town
or part of a Town known by the name of Dalton, was first granted by the name of
Chesuwich afterward by the name of Apthorp then divided into Littleton and
Dalton to particular Gentlemen and not in proprietory shares as is usually the
custom in other towns in this state— your petitioners would further Sugjest that
the act for taxing Lands in said Littleton and Dalton for the purpose of making
and repairing roads therein is under the aforesaid Imbarisments —
"Your
petitioners would therefore pray your Honors to pass an act Impowering the
Selectmen of said Littleton for the time being to assess and cause to be
collected all publick taxes due from said town in one tax bill on the lands
therein not confining them to any particular rights but to sell as m ich of said
Lauds in one body as will pay said tax with Incidental charges also in the same
way and manner to sell as much land as will compeat said road throug said Town
as also that they may be Impowered in the same way and manner to sell as much
land in Dalton as will complete the road leading through the same and give a
reasonable time to levy and collect said Taxes or grant such other relief in the
premises as to your Honors may appear reasonable and Just and stay the extents
against said Littleton untill a final determination be had and your petitioners
as in duty bound shall ever pray — " Sam'l Young
"in behalf of the
Selectmen of Littleton & Inhabitants of Dalton."
Petition for Authority
to Assess a Tax for Repairing Roads. — " To the Honorable General Court of the
State of New Hampshire to convene at Exeter the third Wednesday of Nov'r next.
"The petition of the Inhabitants of a Place called Dolton, and others of
a Place called uper Coos Humbly Sheweth — That about four years past the
Honorable General Court granted a Small land Tax on all the lands in said Dolton
Public Rights Bridges in said Dolton. Thai by some unforeseen fatallity the
business was not Accomplished but a Considerable pari of the road through said
Dolton from what is called uper Coos to our nearest Shire Town (viz Haverhill)
is yet almost unpassable, That the principle pari of the Township of Dolton is
now own'd by persons unknown to us who do very little or nothing to the Roads
and only two Families living in said Township the repairs of the said Roads and
Bridges are almost entirely neglected to the almost incredible hardship and
distress of those who are obliged to travil through the same— Wherefore your
Petitioners pray that your Honors would grant a tax of three pence on each Acre
of land in said Township of Dolton for the purpose of making and Repairing Roads
Bridges &c in sain Dolton in such way and manner as your Honors in your wisdom
may think proper, and that a Committee may be appointed in or as near said
Township as may be to Superintend said Business with full power to Collect said
Tax— and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
"Walter Bloss of
Dolton
"October ye 4th 1792
"Inhabitants of Uper Coos
"Daniel
Spaulding, Elisha Wilder, Joseph Wilder, Jonas Baker, Walter Philbrook, Asaph
Darby, Fortunatus Eager, Asahel Biglow, Abr'm Gile, Jeremiah Stickney, Nathan
Lovewell, Elisha Gustin, Joseph, Jonas Wilder, John Wilder, David Page, Joshua
Lamkin, Abijah Darby, John Rosbrook Ju'r, Jonathan Cram, Benjamin Orr, John
Holmes, Isaac Mann, Robert __, Edw'd Spaulding, Will'm Johnson, Emmens
Stockwell, Will'm Moore, Isaac Darby, Benj'a Twombly, John Rosbrook, Jer'h
Eames, Titus O Brown, Charles Rosbrook, Silvanus Cheesman, David Stockwell,
Zadock Samson, Moses Page, Dennis Stanley"
Walter Bloss for a Ferry. —"To
the honorable the General Court of the State of New Hampshire to be convened at
Concord on the first Wednesday of June A. D. 1799
"The petition of Walter
Bloss of Dalton in said State humbly shows
"That at a place called
Stillwater in Connecticut river about two miles from the head of the fifteen
mile Falls is a suitable place for a ferry, he therefore prays the privilege of
keeping a ferry anywhere from the head of said Stillwater down said river the
distance of two miles to he granted to him under such regulations as the
Legislature shall think proper, and as in duty bound he will ever be duly
thankful —" Walter Bloss."
This petition was granted December, 1799.
First Settlers. [*By Nahum Blake] — Moses Blake, the first settler of
Dalton, was born in Milton, Mass., about the year 1744. He married Lucy
Goodrich, of Lunenburg, Mass., and after the birth of two daughters, Sally and
Lucy, he removed to New Hampshire about 1782. Moses Blake became acquainted with
Dalton and Tracy, who felt much interested in having roads and bridges built for
the accommodation of people that were disposed to visit this new country to make
themselves homes. An offer was made by them to give two 160-acre lots to any one
who would cut away the trees and bushes on the most direct route between
Haverhill and Lancaster, a distance then supposed to be about fifty miles, and
make a road passable for a one-horse wagon with two persons. This offer was
accepted by Moses Blake, and in due time the work was done, and two lots of his
choice were accordingly given to him. They were the two lots nearest the mouth
of John's river. He at first built a log house on the upper lot half a mile
above the mouth of John's river, where the ferry is now kept, colonized only by
wild animals. Blake's family consisted of himself, wife, and two small children.
Here they lived, for sometime, the only inhabitants of the town.
Probably not more than two or three years later, Walter Bloss came and settled
just above the Sumner House. He lived on this place many years and raised up a
family, and, in course of time, built quite a respectable sized two-story framed
house on the east side of the road, a short distance above the "Sumner house."
This house stood for many years after the property passed out of the hands of
the Bloss family. Ever since my recollection it was used for a kind of tenement
house for the town's people who had no other home, and for new-comers to stop in
until they could secure permanent homes. I can remember many families who
occupied it, among them were Peter Fuller, Thomas Fuller, the father of Sheppard
Knights, Willard Harding, Jehial H. Dodge, Edmund Holmes, Lewis Messure, Francis
Messure, Robert Crandall, Asahel Wallace, Ahira Wight, John Somers, Jesse
Underwood, __ Drake, Daniel Banfield, __ Rolfe. It also was used many years for
a school-house. The first school that I ever attended was kept in it. Oliver P.
Brooks was teacher.
The Blake and Bloss families were the sole
inhabitants of Dalton for quite a number of years. It was here Blake's three
younger children were born, viz. Bathsheba, Ruth and Dalton. Lucy married Jared
Barker. They lived on the O. M. Brook's place on the hill, afterwards on the
farm where John Tenney lived for many years. Barker sold each of these after a
short residence and bought a lot on the south side of John's river nearly
opposite Scotts. He sold again, and moved a little further up the hill near
Alvin Brooks. He sold this place and moved to Moriah, N. Y., about 1834. Sally
married John Blakeslee, who settled on a farm on the hill adjoining the Barker
Tenney farm, where he lived until his death. His first wife, Sally, died about
1813 or 1814. He afterwards married her sister, Bathsheba; with her he lived
until she died about 1840. He lived to a good old age on the place he first took
up in Dalton, and has many descendants. His son John is living on the old farm.
Ruth, the youngest of the three daughters, married William Ewen, Jr., son of
William Ewens, who emigrated from England, came to Dalton and took a farm in the
northwest corner of the town lying on the Connecticut river, where he lived
until his death. His son that married Ruth Blake, William, Jr., occupied the
place for many years, but finally sold out to a Mr. White. Mr. Ewen then moved
to his hill lot (the Hutchinson lot) where he died a few years since. His
surviving children are all inhabitants of Dalton. Daniel Ewen lived on and owned
the old place where his father and mother died, and where he died October 12,
1887.
Dalton Blake was the youngest child and only son of Moses Blake. He
was born in Dalton about 1792 or 1793. The honor of being the first male child
born in Dalton must be awarded to Aaron Bloss, who for a long time lived in
Lunenburg, Vt. The first female born in Dalton was Celia Bloss. She died young,
and was buried in the field thirty or forty rods east of the old Bloss house.
Moses Blake, after some time living in his log house, built a one-story
frame house of considerable size for the purpose of entertainment, and for a
long time it was known as Blake's tavern. This was the house in which my father,
Dalton Blake, was born, and it was the same in which I was born on the 2nd of
December, 1811, and also one of my own children, Deborah L. Blake, February 9,
1849. There were families of three generations born in that house. In early
days, while Moses Blake was living, this used to be a very noted place.
Moses Blake used to attend to his ferry in connection with his tavern. This
ferry has always kept in operation, excepting thirteen years while the Sumner
Company had a bridge. My father relinquished his privilege in this charter to
the Sumner Company for the paltry sum of §45 in order to have a bridge. The
bridge was built, and stood about thirteen years, and was carried off by the ice
and logs in the spring of the year. Moses Blake died March 18, 1818, and was
laid in the burying-yard a short distance above the mouth of John's river. His
wife survived him thirteen years, or until June 8, 1831.
Dalton Blake
continued on the old place, came in possession of the northern lot of the two
that his father formerly owned, and continued to live on it until his family of
ten children had either died or grown to man and womanhood. He then sold his
farm to Daniel Ewen. Dalton Blake and his wife, after some years, moved to
Peterborough where they died. Five of their ten children now survive: Nahum,
Paschal, Mrs. Julia A. Cook, Mrs. Deborah W. Hunt, Mrs. Mary J. White.
Act Authorizing First Town Meeting. — "State of Newhampshire.
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight. An act authorizing
Paul Cushman to call the first town meeting in Dalton.
"Be it enacted by
the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened that Paul
Cushman of said Dalton, be and hereby is authorized to call the first meeting of
said Town of Dalton, for the purpose of organizing the same and the said first
meeting may be holden at such time and place within said Town of Dalton, as the
said Paul Cushman shall direct and it shall be the duty of the said Cushman to
notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town to meet for the purposes
afforesaid, by a warrant under his hand and seal to be posted up in some Publick
place in said Town fifteen days prior to the day of meeting, and shall insert in
such warrant the articles necessary to be acted upon at said meeting, and the
said Paul Cushman shall Preside over said meeting until a Moderator be chosen.
"And be it further enacted that the inhabitants of said town may at
their first meeting, warned as afforesaid procead to Chuse a Moderator to govern
said meeting, Town Clerk, and selectmen who when Chosen and sworn shall be
invested with all the power by Law appertaining to their respective offices. —
"State of Newhampshire.
"In the House of Representatives June 7th,
1808.
"The foregoing Bill having had three several readings pased to be
enacted, sent up for concurrance.
"Charles Cutts Speaker.
"In Senate
June 8th, 1808 " This Bill having been read a third time was enacted
"Samuel
Bell President
"Approved June 8th, 1808
"John Langdon Governor
"A true
Copy
"Attest Phillip Carigain Secretary
"A true Copy
"Attest Agrippa
Warren, Town Clerk."
First Town Meeting. — Met July 26, 1808, "at the
dwelling house of Joshua Whitney, innholder," for the purpose of organizing the
town, and chose Joel Crandal, moderator; Agrippa Warren, town clerk; Agrippa
Warren, John Blaksley and Paul Cushman, selectmen. July 28th Agrippa Warren was
sworn into office as town clerk and selectman by Richard C. Everett, J. P., at
Lancaster.
Agrippa Warren appears to have died soon after, as August 29,
1808, Joel Crandal acts as town clerk, and Amos Kidder was chosen selectman in
place of Agrippa Warren. The number of votes cast at the August meeting was
thirty.
Much of the individuality of the people of Dalton is shown by
traces clearly defined to the historian, but unnoticed by the careless observer
of events until pointed out. We have permitted the little ''footprints on the
sands of time" contained in the records to tell their own story, generally in
the quaint language of the advocate of the action in town meeting, or in that of
the clerk, gleaning for this purpose enough to portray visibly the politics,
life and manners. Year by year the "Inventory" grows visibly and rapidly larger;
year by year items are added which show the growth and prosperity of the town;
the annual expenditure for roads and bridges attains proportions which would
have seemed a colossal fortune to the hardy pioneer. The necessities of to-day
would have appeared to him uncalled for, extravagant, superfluous (if not
sinful) luxuries not to be tolerated. And yet the people have not deteriorated.
Firm in principle, they have kept true to their political affiliations,
Democratic by a large majority; a firm minority has steadily responded to the
roll call at election with as unwavering a column as if it were marching to
victory. The habits of prudence, industry and economy so essential in the early
days have descended to the present generation, and resulted in a general
condition of competency. The era of speculation and inflation of necessity gave
its impress, but those most affected only existed for a time, and it left no
lasting deleterious effect. None are millionaires, but the Dalton of to-day is
composed of unassuming, worthy people, owning their own homes, cultivating their
own lands, and independent in their circumstances. The large war debt causes the
rate of taxation to be high, but, as one of its worthy citizens remarked to the
writer, "We seem to pay our taxes, and get along as well as neighboring towns
with much lower taxes." With a generous hand the town has taken care of the
unfortunate poor within its borders. The young men who have sought a broader
field of activity than the town of their birth have inherited the worthy traits
of their ancestors, and have won prosperity and honorable positions, and reflect
credit upon their native town.
Lands and Live Stock, 1809. — In 1809 the
live stock owned was thirty-four horses and colts, fourteen yokes of oxen,
sixty-nine cows over four years old. and forty-three steers and heifers under
four years of age. The only inventory of ''arable land " in the first tax list
(issued this year) was one acre in the possession of Moses Blake. He had, also,
eight acres of mowing land, two acres of pasture, two hundred and twenty-nine
acres of unimproved land, one horse, one colt, one yoke of oxen and two cows.
Paul Cushman had one acre of mowing land, one hundred and ' eighty-four acres
unimproved land, two horses, one yoke oxen, and three cows. William Wallace had
one acre mowing land, ninety-four acres unimproved land, two horses three cows,
and two "three-year olds." Joshua Whitney had seven acres "mowing," three acres
pasture, two hundred and thirty-eight acres unimproved land, one horse, one
colt, one yoke oxen, three cows, and three young cattle. John Blakslee had two
acres of meadow, one of pasture, and ninety- seven unimproved, with one horse,
one yoke steers and two cows. William Cram had two acres mowing, ninety-eight
acres unimproved, one 'horse, two cows, and one young creature. John Cram had
two acres mowing, one hundred ninety-eight acres unimproved land, one horse and
one cow. Robert Cram had one acre meadow, sixty-five acres of unimproved land,
one horse, one cow and two two-year olds. Richard Taylor has one hundred acres
unimproved land, one yoke steers, two cows and three heads of young stock.
William Ewen, Jr., had two acres of meadow, one hundred ninety-three acres
unimproved land, one horse, one yoke oxen, four cows, and four young cattle.
Amos Kidder owns five acres meadow, two of pasture, one hundred sixty-seven
acres unimproved land, two horses, one yoke oxen, four cows, and two young
cattle. Joel Crandall has fifty acres of unimproved land, one horse, one cow,
and one two-year old. Ashur Evans has four acres meadow, two of pasture,
ninety-four unimproved land, one horse, one yoke of oxen, two cows, and seven
young cattle. Abraham Frisbee owns two acres meadow, one of pasture, fifty-seven
acres unimproved land, one horse, two cows and one heifer. Jared Barker has one
acre mowing land, one hundred thirteen unimproved, one horse, one yoke oxen, two
cows, and one two-year-old. Roswell Evans one acre mowing, one acre pasture,
forty-nine acres unimproved land, one yoke of steers, one cow, and a two-year-
old. Levi Osgood has four acres meadow land, one acre of pasture, one hundred
forty acres unimproved, two horses, three cows, and four three-year-olds. Isaac
Osgood has three acres of mowing land, one of pasture, eighty acres unimproved,
two horses, two oxen, three cows, and one three-year old. Moses Buck has one
acre mowing land with ninety-one unimproved, one yoke oxen and two cows.
Nathaniel Brown has four acres mowing land, one of pasture, and one hundred
unimproved, with one horse, one yoke oxen, four cows, and two heads of young
stock. Thomas Fisher has two acres mowing land, two of pasture, and one hundred
thirty-one acres unimproved, with one horse and one three-year-old. Jonathan
Fisher has one hundred and thirty acres unimproved land, one horse, and one cow.
Samuel Atherton has one acre mowing land with eighty-two acres unimproved, one
horse, two cows, and one three-year-old. David Hall has three acres mowing land,
one hundred and ninety-seven unimproved, one horse, one cow.
These
persons were the most wealthy of the early settlers, and luxury had no place in
this hard working community.
Abraham Frisbee took the collectorship of
the town (excepting highway taxes) for $4.98 for the year. At the annual town
meeting Levi Osgood, Moses Blake, John Blakslee, Thomas Fisher, and Nathaniel
Brown were elected surveyors of highways; Jacob Barrows, Sr., and Eber Miller,
as tithingmen; Capt. Paul Cushman and Moses Blake, fence viewers; Edward
Whipple, sealer of weights and measures; Roswell Evans, hog reeve: Amos Kidder,
John Blakeslee, and Thomas Fisher, school committee. The meeting voted to raise
$30 on the grand list to defray the town expenses, also to raise $200 to be
expended in making and repairing roads and bridges, also to allow an able-bodied
man eight cents an hour on the highways from June 1st to September 30, he
finding himself tools and diet, and six cents an hour for a yoke of oxen and
chains.
First Three School Districts. — July 15, 1809, the three school
districts were organized as follows: "District No. 1 shall contain all the
settlements from the westerly line of Joshua Whitney's farm to the town line
adjoining Lancaster, thence up John's river to David Hall's, and all the
settlements on Blakeslee's Hill, so-called, also William Loud, Roswell Evans and
Trial Barrows. District No. 2 shall contain all the settlements from the
westerly line of Joshua Whitney's farm to the town line adjoining Littleton,
thence southerly to Nathaniel Brown's, thence easterly between Joseph Streeter's
and John Snow's to the westerly line of said Whitney's farm. District No. 3
shall contain the remainder of the settlers now in said Dalton."
1809.
The town tax on residents amounts to $21.12, the county tax $46.03, and school
tax to $55.95, — a total tax of $123.10. As there was now a proper tribunal easy
of access, the settlers who until now had only the advantages of the "county
road," wished to replace the private paths and byways Leading to their several
places of abode by legal roads, and the selectmen were kept busy in hearing
applications, laying out, and considering highways. December 4, 1809, John
Blakeslee, Amos Kidder, and Jacob Barrows were appointed a committee to examine
the bridge over John's river. They report that it will last two or three years
longer with a little repair, and no new one is voted. At the same meeting voted
to choose a committee to appoint one person to be commissioned as justice of the
peace for Dalton, and the committee reported Edward Reid for that office.
1810. At the town meeting held March 13, 1810, a new officer was elected,
Joshua Whitney, "Surveyor of lumber." At this meeting" His Excellency, Jeremiah
Smith, Esq'r" received thirty-five votes for Governor, while "His Honor, John
Langdon, Esq'r" received but seven. The town voted to raise $70 as a town tax
this year, and "to assess" $250 for roads and bridges. June 9, voted in town
meeting "to erect a post with a board on the same at the corner of Edward Reid's
wall, the upper side of the county road, for the posting of warrants for town
meetings and other papers for the benefit of the public." In July "chose Joshua
Whitney pound keeper," and a committee "to inspect John's River bridge, and wait
on Mr. Moses Blake to look out a piece of land for a burying yard and take a
deed of the same."
1811. By this time the machinery of town government
was in working order, nearly all the leading and ambitious men had some office
in the gift of the people; quite a lively opposition had arisen in local
politics, for while Asa W. Burnap receives twenty votes for county register,
John Wilson receives seven. "His Honor Jeremiah Smith" receives twenty-eight
votes for governor, "His Excellency John Langdon" getting only four. School
district No. 1 is divided; the new district, No. 4, "to consist of all the
inhabitants south of Joel Crandall's south line and from Lancaster line to the
westerly line of district No. 1." The laying out of roads still continues, and
points and distances of them are in the records. The arable land has increased
to four acres of which Moses Blake has three and Paul Cushman one. Moses Blake
has now eleven acres of "mowing" land, and Joshua Whitney seven. Several have
from four to five acres of pasture land. Levi Osgood and Paul Cusliman have each
six cows. John Blakeslee and Edward Reid each four, William Ewen, Jr., and Ezra
Cushman each five. The non-resident owners now number several other names than
the two chief proprietors. "Heirs of John Innis Clarke, dec." and " John B.
Murry Esq.," and are Atkins Hutcherson, Nathaniel Brown, Sr., Daniel Barnes,
Hubert Glidden, Phineas Olds, Jeremiah Turner, Mariette Mathews, and Abel Moore.
1812. Twenty-five dollars voted to defray town expenses the current
year. Abel Moore chosen agent to attend the Court of Judicature held in May at
Lancaster and defend an action 1 nought against the town for the badness of the
roads. A resident tax of $25.86 laid to pay expenses of muster.
1813.
Dalton Blake and Paul Cushman chosen sextons. Capt. Paul Cushman and John
Blakeslee chosen grand jurors. One hundred and twenty dollars raised to defray
town expenses. One hundred dollars raised to repair roads and bridges.
1814. Daniel Webster receives seventeen votes for Member of Congress to John K.
Parrott ten.
1815. The arable land inventoried at six acres, meadow land
seventy acres, and pasture sixty-eight.
1816. Paul Cushman has one acre
arable land, Nathaniel Hurlbutt one, Roswell Evans one, Dalton Blake four acres,
and William Ewen, Jr., one.
1819. Ten years have passed since the first
inventory of the town. The acres of arable land are now nineteen. Paul Cushman
has three, Levi Osgood one, Nath'l Hurlbutt, one, Nathan Wilder one, Roswell
Evans three, Sam'l Atherton one, William Ewen, Jr., one, John Blakslee two,
Dalton Blake four, Jacob Barrows one. Abel Moore one. Seventy acres mowing land,
no increase for two years.
1820. Voted " to fence the grave yards now
occupied as such."
1821. Voted to build a pound with hewn posts and
sills and plates, twenty-six feet square, or such as would answer the law, and
located the site near the horse barn of Oliver P. Brooks.
1822. John
Blakslee was elected sealer of leather.
1823. Oliver P. Brooks. John
Tenney and George Carleton appointed a committee to settle with the town
officers. James B. Sumner appears to have settled in town this year as a
merchant. John C. Fletcher has buildings inventoried at $100, James B. Sumner &
Co. $350, Thomas Davis $75, Joel Craudall $170, Dalton Blake $250, William Ewen
$312. About this time the desire for more convenient buildings and the example
of a few progressive people seem to have brought forth fruit.
1824. This
year there is a large increase in the valuation of buildings, the total sum
being $4,451.
1826. The town voted to fence the burying grounds by
John's River, and by Paul Cushman's farm. Oliver P. Brooks was chosen town agent
to defend the suit pending in the Superior court of Coos county brought by the
"Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," who claim, as tenants in
common, one fifty first part of the whole town.
1827. The improved
condition of the people and the tangible result of their industry is shown by
the fact that the inventory of 1827 presents "Money at Interest," John Blakslee
has $300, John Tenney $50, Hiram Moore $100, against their names in this column.
1829. Town meeting was held at Inn of B. & B. Brooks, Jr., Asa Taylor is
inventoried as possessing eighty sheep. $600 was raised for highways and bridges
and eight cents an hour was voted as " wages for an able-bodied man to work on
the road, he finding his tools and dyet, and the same for yoak of oxen and
chain." Eighty-one votes were cast for Richard Eastman for CouDty Treasurer.
Benj. Pierce received forty-three votes for governor to John Bell thirty-eight.
1830. O. P. Brooks paid one dollar for recording deed of grave-yard.
1831. The town meeting voted to "pass by" the 8th article in the warrant
calling for the purchase of a stove and funnel for the meeting-house. Some means
for warming this edifice must have been provided by private enterprise, for the
town meeting held March 12, 1832, was held "in the meeting house"
1833.
In 1833 the number of votes had increased to eighty-six. Crandall and Sanborn
receive an order of $210 for building bridge.
1834. James B. Sumner
inventoried $1,200 on his bridge.
1836. In 1836 an able-bodied man is
allowed ten cents an hour on the road. Thirty-five "Nays'" to one "Yea" were
voted on the question: — "Is it expedient to grant an appropriation to build a
State Insane Hospital?"
1837. Jas. B. Sumner, Benj. Brooks, Jr., and
Benj Fay were chosen a committee to receive the town's apportionment of the
surplus money of the United states, which shall be deposited with this state,
"and to loan the same to residents of the town in sums of not less than
twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars." Benj. Fay was chosen agent to transact
the business with the state, and instructed to require the specie of the state
Treasurer. It appears that the chilly temperature of the meeting house had not
been appropriately modified, for the town voted this year "to purchase stoves
and funnel for the meeting house, on condition that the Society or owners of
said house shall grant the use of the same to hold all public meetings of said
town in, said town still to hold and have power to control all said stoves and
funnel and remove them at pleasure." Voted that the interest of the surplus
money shall be used for schools. Paid $62.62 for stoves and pipe.
1838.
Jas. B. Sumner. Amos Parker, Benj. Brooks, Jr., O. P. Brooks, and John Young
were chosen to take care of the surplus money, and voted that the town
treasurer, B. Fay, hand over the notes and money for the surplus to the chairman
of the committee. Some of the largest sheep raisers were Samuel Atherton.
forty-eight; John Bond, fifty-two; Moses Buck, thirty-three; John Blakslee,
thirty-three; Chester Hurlbutt, thirty-five; Oliver Ewen, thirty-one: Dexter
Newton, forty-nine; J. B Sumner, sixty-five; Asa Taylor, thirty-six; John
Tenney, thirty-three: K. Crane, fifty.
1839. William B. Crane receives
$13 for his services as tax collector.
1841. The town voted that
whenever the company of infantry of Dalton shall have uniformed themselves
agreably to law in such case provided, that the selectmen shall take measures to
procure the arms provided by the state.
1842. One hundred and twelve
votes cast this year. William Ewen is chosen to take care of the state arms used
by the company of infantry.
1843. The selectmen "license Daniel Ewen to
sell wine and spirituous liquors for four mouths, at his store at Sumner's
bridge, in any quantity not less than one pint, for medicinal purposes, and upon
any proper occasion, to be sold, delivered, and carried away." The town
dispenses this year with the services of town treasurer, and elects none.
1844. Election of treasurer, tithingmen, and auditors dispensed and offices
kept vacant. Paschal Blake & Co., and Oliver D. Ewen were licensed to sell
liquor "to be carried away before being drunk." Ninety-two votes for and six
votes against altering the state constitution. Forty-eight votes for and
forty-one votes against abolition of capital punishment in the state. Voted to
take the surplus money and build a Town-House, and Aaron Ballon, Horace Cushman,
Linus Blakslee, Lorenzo Farr, and Robert Taylor chosen a committee to locate
site, purchase land, and appropriate money for the building. Paid Daniel Ewen
$5.76 for gates for burying-yard.
1845. The town took action to remove
"one stove and funnel enough to go with it, and put it into the Town House when
it shall be ready, and to let the other remain in the meeting-house for the
present." Paid Nahum Crane five dollars for making guide hoards.
1846.
Elisha Cushman paid seven dollars for stone guide posts.
1847. Voted to
build a bridge with stone abutments across John's river before April 1, 1848,
also to use the Town House for high schools, and elected Linus Blakslee to see
that the town be remunerated for any damage done to the building. [Among the
teachers of this high school were Alfred Bix, who attained some prominence in
after life in California.] At a town meeting warned a few days later the vote
given above to build a bridge was rescinded, and the selectmen authorized to
repair the " existing one." Jared W. Williams receives eighty-one votes for
Governor, to Nathaniel S. Berry forty-five.
1848. The financial
improvement of the town in the last forty years will be plainly shown by the
necessity of now introducing into the inventory of the town such items as "money
in Bank, and other corporations;" "Carriages;" "money on hand at interest, &c.,"
"Stock in Trade;" "Lumber,'' etc.
1849. In 1849 the lines between Dalton
and the towns of Littleton, Bethlehem, and Lancaster were adjusted, run out, and
boundaries properly marked.
1850. The town voted $600 to build a new
bridge across John's river at its mouth, and elected Charles C Gordon
superintendent of its construction. Elijah Baker, Benjamin Fay, and John
Blakslee, Jr., were chosen to prosecute those who "sell and drink spirituous
liquor contrary to law." Benjamin Brewster was chosen delegate to the convention
at Concord to revise the state constitution.
1851. Voted unanimously in
favor of a State Homestead Exemption law. The following were inventoried on
"stock in trade" as merchants: J. B. Sumner & Co., $6,390; O. M. Brooks & Co.,
$400; William Rigney, $400; Benjamin F. Fay, $200; A. Morrison & Bradbury & Co.,
$1,500 on 100,000 feet of "mast-timber;" Aldrich Morrill, $400 on mast-timber;
J. B. Sumner, $5,000 on "mills." The following have "money at interest:'' John
Blakslee, $300; Lucius Bond, $200; Horace Cushman, $200; Charles Dunsmore & Co.,
$100; John Tenney, $300; Nelson White, $300.
1852. William Rigney and Dr.
J. Brunson were licensed to sell wines and liquors in quantities. W. G. Cushman
licensed as a "taverner."
1853. The town raised $150 for "schooling in
addition to what the law allows."
1854. Voted $600 for town charges, and
$800 for highways.
1855. Voted to hire a farm for the support of
paupers; voted $700 for town charges, and $600 for roads and bridges; Joseph F.
Hurlbutt appointed town agent to sell liquors; Ballou, Bond & Co., merchants,
are inventoried at $3,850, "stock in trade."
1857. Voted $150 to fence
the grave-yard near W. G. Cushman's with a good post-and board fence.
1859. Moses H. Rix received ninety-nine voles for county commissioner. He is
elected.
1863. Voted fifty-eight against, one vote for, the expediency
of altering the State Constitution The first tax on dogs occurs. Thirty -two
dogs are taxed one dollar each.
1865. Frederick Smythe receives
fifty-six votes for Governor to E. W. Harrington seventy-five. Harry Bingham
gets seventy-five votes for member of Congress to J. W. Patterson fifty-six.
1866. Voted to raise $3,000 to defray town charges and pay the debt of the
town, also to raise $1,000 for roads and bridges, and to tax all money at
interest, on deposit, or "on demand," belonging to residents of the town.
1867. Thomas J. Smith received eighty-five votes for Senator to Ossian Ray
forty-nine. The town raises $3,000 for town charges and debts, and $1,000 for
highways and bridges. The whole number of votes cast on the question, "Is it
expedient to abolish pauper settlements in towns, and throw the entire support
of paupers upon counties? " was seventy-three, all against the proposition.
1868. Walter Harriman for governor gets fifty-six votes to John G. Sinclair
one hundred and two. The town voted $3,000 for town charges, $1,200 for roads
and bridges and allowed twelve cents an hour for labor on highways.
1869. Voted $1,650 for roads and bridges, and to allow one shilling an hour for
labor on the highway.
1870. "Sumner & Steele & Co." inventoried for
taxation on 700,000 feet of lumber at Littleton, 200,000 feet at Bethlehem,
300,000 feet at Whitefield, 500,000 feet in Round pond. Mrs. Burnside's estate
is taxed in addition to saw-mill and starch factory on sixty-three tons of
starch.
1873. Laura E. Farr and Mrs. Helen Weston were appointed to the
office of Superintending School Committee.
1875. The town votes to fence
the cemetery in the Ladd neighborhood, the town to furnish the boards and posts
"provided the people in the neighborhood will do the work." Voted to instruct
the selectmen to prosecute every case of illegal liquor selling in the town that
may come to their notice; also, that the selectmen put every man upon his oath,
whom they have reason to believe may have money at interest, or other property
concealed from taxation, in regard to the same, and to tax the same as the law
directs.
1876. Voted to settle accounts with the liquor agent and have
the office cease from this date. Raised $1,200 for highways.
1877.
Jonathan M. Lang received eighty-eight votes for county treasurer.
1878.
Selectmen are empowered to fund the town debt if it can be done at 5 per cent:
voted to prohibit the sale of cider in amounts less than ten gallons.
1880. Berl A. Taylor receives eighty-seven votes for county commissioner.
1881. The Whitefield Silver Mining Co. is incorporated by John Lovering of
Claremont, George S. Gove, George W. Libby, Nathaniel W. Libby, and Frank P.
Brown of Whitefield to operate mines in Dalton and Whitefield. Articles of
incorporation are recorded in Dalton in May, 1881. Two hundred thousand dollars
capital. One thousand dollars paid in.
1883. John Blakslee had
fifty-eight votes for county treasurer. Bert A. Taylor seventy-eight votes for
county commissioner. The town voted to raise $5,000 to defray town expenses and
pay on the debt and interest of the town; G. W. Carpenter and John Page elected
fish and game wardens.
1884. Voted to refund the whole or part of the
town debt to 5-20 bonds at 4 per cent.
Nothing worthy of special mention
is on the records since 1884.
EARLY Births. — The first birth in Dalton was Bathsheba,
daughter of Moses and Lucy Blake, born March 16, 1785. Ruth, daughter of Moses
and Lucy Blake, was born February 15, 1787. It is stated in the "Gazetteer of
New Hampshire," 1821, and by others since, that the first white male child born
in Dalton was Dalton, son of Moses and Lucy Blake; who, on this account, was
granted 100 acres of land. His birth occurred March 21, 1789. [Nahum Blake
denies this, and says the first male child was Aaron Bloss] Abigail, daughter of
Joshua and Esther Whitney, was born July 15, 1788. John Whitney, son of the same
parents, was born September 12, 1792. Joshua Whitney, Jr., son of Joshua and
Electa Whitney, was born November 11, 1795. Obadiah, son of the same was born
April 6, 1799. George Whitney, son of the same, was born February 13, 1800.
Sally, daughter of the same, born March 30, 1803. Nahum, son of Joel and Hannah
Crandal, was born April 25, 1801. Eliza, daughter of Joel and Susanna Crandal,
was born March 30, 1808. Robert B., son of the same, July 4, 1809. Hannah
Bailey, daughter of Amos and Hannah Kidder, was born October 14, 1803. Adeline,
daughter of Amos and Susanna Kidder, was born November 2, 1806. Amos Kidder,
Jr., was born October 15, 1808. Robert and Polly Crane's daughter, Juliana,
was born November 8, 1804. Maryan, daughter of the same parents, was born August
4, 1806. Edward L., their son, was born November 1, 1808. Robert Crane, Jr., was
born July 29, 1810. Calvin, son of Tristram and Polly Cheney, was born December
23, 1806. Clarissa, their daughter, was born April 4, 1809. Curtis, another son,
was born July 14, 1811. Nahum, son of Dalton and Deborah Blake, was born
December 2, 1811. Sarah, daughter of the above, was born July 2, 1813. Moses,
son of William and Rhoda Crane, was born March 2, 1803. Patty, their daughter,
was born August 2, 1805. Otis, son of William and Rhoda Crane, born April 17,
1807. Viana, daughter of the above, born August 2, 1809. Nahum, son of John and
Lydia Crain, was born November 12, 1801. Lydia, daughter of the same, born May
6, 1804. Ona Crain, son of Nahum and Lydia, born November 26, 1806. Willard H.,
born August 6, 1808 Mary Ann, daughter of William Ewen, Jr., and Ruth, his wife,
was born December 11, 1808. Edward Ewen, son of the same, born March 8, 1810.
Abigail, daughter of Edwards and Milly Whipple, born May 11, 1802. Matthew W.,
their son, born October 23, 1803. Benjamin, son of Edwards and Milly Whipple,
December 11, 1804. Louisa, daughter of the same, May 26, 1806, and Mary, August
25, 1808. Louis, son of Louis and Polly Buck, was born December 25, 1807. Mary
Ann, their daughter, was born September 4, 1809. Lyman F., son of Jonathan and
Rebecca Fisher, was born March 29, 1808. Christopher was born September 8, 1809.
Aaron, son of Thomas and Eunice Fisher, was born August 31, 1804. Lorenzo Dow,
son of the same, was born October 18, 1806. Olivet, daughter, born December 25,
1807. Nathaniel Atherton, son of Samuel, was born May 9, 1809.
Early
Marriages. — From town records: —
"This may certify that Mr. Justis
Stephen and Miss Lydia Barrows both of Dalton ware this day joined in marriage
by me Tristram Cheney — Justis of Piece, Dalton, Nov. 22, 1810."
"This
may Certify that John Blakslee and Bathsheba Blake was solemnised in marriage by
me this seventh day of April, A. D. 1814, in the Town of Dalton County & State
aforesaid. Jonas Baker Justice of Peace."
Early Residents. — We copy from
the town records the list of taxable inhabitants for the year 1809, preserving
the original spelling: —
"Samuel Artherton, Moses Blake, John Blakslee,
Jacob Barrows, Nathaniel Brown, Jared Barker, Urial Barrows, Paul Cushman, Joel
Crandal, William Crain, John Crain, Robert Crain, Trustrim Cheny, John Crandal,
Michael Coner, Moses Buck, William Ewen, Seign., William Ewen, Jr., Asher Evens,
Abraham Frisbee, Peter Fuller, Thomas Fisher, Jonathan Fisher, Roswel Evens,
Solomon McGun, David Hall, Amos Kidder, Benjamin Kent, Eber Miller, Isaac
Osgood, Levi Osgood, Joel Sartwell, Austine Skinner, John Snow, Seignor, John
Snow, Jr., Joseph Streetor, Edward Reid, Joshua Whitney, Edwards Whipple,
William Wallace, Henry Philbrook, Richard Tailor, Spaarvel Tailor, Justus
Stevens, William Loud."
Ear-marks. — The scarcity of cleared pasture
land or woodland under fence made it necessary for the early settlers to have
some means of identifying their sheep which ran at large. This was done by
ear-marks recorded in the town clerk's office. July 15, 1809, Robert Crain
records his "ear-mark," "a square crop off the left ear and a notch on the upper
side of the right." February 17, 1810, Joshua Whitney's "ear-mark" is recorded
as "a square crop off the left ear, and a slit in the end of the same." March
13, 1810, Joseph Streeter's "ear-mark" is "a slit only in the left ear." June 9,
1810, Edward Reid's "ear-mark is around hole in both ears." March 12, 1811,
Moses Blake's mark for his sheep "is a round hole through each ear, one forth of
an inch." Amos Kidder marks his sheep, in 1811, by "a piece cut out on the under
side off the right ear." Aaron Edmands's mark was "a square crop off the left
ear, and a slit in the same." In 1813, Benjamin Kent's ear-mark was " both ears
cut off square, and a slit in each." 1815, Nathaniel Hurlbutt marks his sheep by
"a square crop off the left ear." Chester Hurlbutt records his mark, in 1827, as
"a swallow tail on the right ear."
Early Merchants. — Oliver P. Brooks
was probably the first trader. He was inventoried in 1819 three hundred dollars
on his stock in trade. James B. Sumner & Co. (Asa Taylor) were in trade in 1823
with a large stock of goods for the time, and were inventoried $1,500 stock in
trade. Benjamin Fay was inventoried in 1833 at $500 stock in trade. The same
year Moses Blakslee had $1,400 stock in trade. Linus Blakslee was in trade in
1840; Moses Blakslee & Co. in 1841 with $1,200 in stock.
Dalton in 1821.
— Adino N. Brackett writes thus, in 1821. The description of the town applies
to-day as well as then: "Dalton is a post-town situated on the bank of the
Connecticut river directly below Lancaster, by which it is bounded on the
northeast in part, and part by Whitefield, southerly by Bethlehem, southwesterly
by Littleton, and north and northwesterly by the Connecticut river. The
'fifteen-mile falls' commence in Dalton, and roar and tumble along the northwest
border, not of Dalton only, but of Littleton and Lyman. Besides the Connecticut,
this town is watered by John's river. Its course is nearly northwest, and from
its source in Pond-i-cherry pond, it runs through Whitefield and Dalton. and
falls into the Connecticut sixty rods above the head of the fifteen-mile falls.
The western and southern part of Dalton is high, hilly land, covered with a
thick growth of maple, birch, beech, ash, some hemlock, and spruce. Along the
banks of John's river the majestic white pine abounds. A remark may here be made
which applies to the whole country east of Bath and west of the White Mountains,
that the pitch pine is not to be found. The pine has long since been cut into
lumber] The soil is deep on the high lands, and well adapted to grazing; some of
it, particularly the pine land, is sandy, and of easy cultivation after the pine
roots are destroyed. Dalton is divided into two school districts, in both of
which there are convenient and well-finished schoolhouses. They have also two
saw and grist-mills in town, and a fulling-mill. One of the saw and grist-mills
stands on the Connecticut river near the head of the falls. A pond at the
southeast corner of Dalton, and the only one in town, bears the name of Blake's
pond. Moses Blake was a famous hunter, and the moose, which in the early days
frequented this pond in the summer, often fell by his accurate shots. He often
related this anecdote: He and Capt., afterward Brigadier-General, Bucknam, of
Lancaster, on a small bet fired at a mark on one of their hunting excursions.
Bucknam fired first and made an excellent shot, cutting near the center of a
mark not bigger than a dollar at the distance of twenty rods. Blake fired, and
on going to the tree no mark of his ball could be seen. On this, Bucknam exulted
excessively. 'Cut out your ball,' says Blake, 'and you'll find mine o' top oft.'
The operation being done, the feat turned out as Blake had predicted. Both were
men of truth, and I have heard the feat verified by both."
Early
Inn-keepers. — Among the first tavern-keepers after Blake was Edward Reid,
licensed November 12, 1808, "to keep a tavern and Execute the duties of a
tavern-keeper within the Town of Dalton one year from and after this date," and
"to sell spiritous liquors of all kinds," according to an act for the regulation
of licensed houses. Joshua Whitney was also an inn-holder the same year, and the
town meetings were often held at his house. Capt. Paul Cushman kept a house for
the entertainment of travellers in 1810. In 1819 and 1820 Capt. Benjamin Brooks
was licensed and permitted to keep a tavern, and to sell and dispose of
spirituous liquors according to law, he being a person of sober life and
conversation suitably qualified for a tavern-keeper. In 1841 the " Brooks Inn"
had passed into non-resident ownership. In 1845 Willard G. Cushman is licensed
as a tavener.
It was not until hard years of self-denial, industry,
deprivations, and economical existence had after long struggles and contentions,
and legislative aid, carved out rude highways, and bridged the streams, that
luxurious civilization came into the wilderness to cover the rough floors with
carpets, the houses and barns with coats of paint, or break the springs of its
carriages upon the stumpy and irregular surface of the roads. The people were
shut out from communication with the outside world, except by taking long
journeys on foot, through hill forests and swamps, or on horseback along almost
impassable bridle paths. The road from the mouth of John's river to Whitefield
was not laid out until January 6, 1816, when it was located by the selectmen in
pursuance of a petition signed by Robert Hare, Edward Reid, Joel Crandal, and
Jacob Barrows. In 1832 James B. Sumner erected a bridge across the Connecticut
river on nearly the same spot where the railroad bridge now crosses the river.
This was used many years.
Not until 1836 does the inventory of the town
mention any carriages for taxation; then James B. Sumner and Benjamin Fay are
owners each of two carriages; Aaron Fisk of one "Jig"; O. P. Brooks, Benjamin
Brooks, W. G. Cushman of one chaise each. The era of luxury appears by this time
to be fully established.
Nahum Blake says the only mills in town at his
earliest recollection were Cushman's saw and grist-mill, and Nathan Wilder's
fulling-mill a little below Cushman's. An old saw and grist-mill was standing at
the head of the Fifteen-mile falls. The dam had been carried away. This was
built by Hare and Murray. The Sumner Co. repaired these mills, built a stone
dam, which caused backwater and occasioned much litigation, and these mills were
destroyed and a new saw-mill put up which was in operation in 1859. (This mill
was burned and never rebuilt.) Joel Fay had a saw-mill on the Wallace brook,
afterwards owned by Lorenzo Fisher. Two saw-mills were on John's river near
Whitefield, one erected by a Rev. Mr. Chase, the other probably by a Mr. Brown.
A saw mill was built on Sabbattis brook by one Richardson, which was afterwards
owned by Jonathan Scott.
Residents' Names, 1849.
Aldrich, Elisha
Atherton, Jonathan
Atherton, Samuel
Atherton, William
Bacon, Henry
Baker, Elijah
Ballon, Aaron
Baly, James
Bede, David
Bede, William
Beede, William
Blake, Dalton
Blake, Paschal
Blakslee, John
Blakslee, John, Jr.
Blakslee, Linus
Bolls, Arnold
Bolls, James
Bolls, Lewis
Bolls, Obed
Bond, John
Bond, Julius
Bond, Lucius
Brewster, Benjamin
Brock, James
Brooks, Alvin
Brooks, Benjamin
Brooks, Oliver M.
Brooks, Oliver P.
Brown, George
Brown, John
Brownson, Jonathan, Jr.
Buck, Moses
Bunnel, Horatio N.
Burnham, __
Buswell, Francis
Carpenter, G. W.
Carson, Marvin
Carter, Jeremiah M.
Carter, John
Clark, George P.
Colby, Asa
Colby, Moses
Cram, John
Crane, Ebenezer
Crane, Nahum
Crane, Ono
Crane. Wm. B.
Crouch, John
Cushman, Elisha
Cushman, Horace
Cushman, Paul
Cushman, Willard G.
Dean, Wm. P.
Dodge, Elijah
Dunsmore, Charles
Dunsmore, Fred W.
Edmands, Aaron
Edmands, Charles W.
Elliot, Foster
Elliot, Warren
Ewen, Daniel
Ewen, Edward
Ewen, James H.
Ewen, Moses H.
Ewen, Oliver D.
Ewen, William
Ewen, Wm., Jr.
Farr, Alba
Farr, Lorenzo
Farr, Norman
Fay, Benjamin
Fay, Ezra
Fisher, Lorenzo D.
Fisk, Charles
Fuller, Thomas
Gaskell, Samuel
George, William
Gordon, Charles C.
Griswuld, Elam
Harriman, Ira
C.
Harriman, Moses
Harriman, Moses, Jr.
Harriman, William
Holmes, Edmund
How, Eben
How, Michael
Howland, Washington W.
Hunter, John
Hurlbutt, Chester
Hurlbutt, Chester, Jr.
Hurlbutt,
Edmund
Hurlbutt, Joseph, Jr.
Hurlbutt, Samuel
Johnson, Arasmus
Ladd, Hanibal E.
Ladd, Hiram
Lang, Andrew
Leighton, Liberty
Lewis, Civilian
Locke, Elbridge G.
Loud, Benjamin
Lowd, George
Miller, Roswell
Miller, Willard
Montgomery, John C.
Moore, John
Moore, John C.
Newton, Dexter
Noble, Alanson
Palmer, Isaac
Palmer, Thomas
Parker, Amos
Parker, Charles
Parker, Daniel
Parker, Reuben J.
Perkins, Jubesh L.
Philips, Nathan
Quimby, Ira
Quimby, Joshua
Quimby, Obed
Rix, Hale
Rix, Hale, Jr.
Rix, Jona
C.
Rix, Moses H.
Rounsvell, Elle, Jr.
Rounsvell, Holmes
Rounsvell, Joseph
Ruggles, Samuel
Russell, Oliver
Sartwell, Roswell
Savage, Roswell
Savage, Sylvester
Scott, Jonathan
Scott,
Nathaniel P.
Smith, Thomas
Somers, Edwin B.
Somers, John
Steavens, Jerimiah M.
Straw, Willis
Sumner, Alex W.
Sumner, James B.
Taylor, Amos
Taylor, Asa
Taylor, Robert
Tenney, John
Titus,
Asher
Underwood, Jesse
Walker, Caleb
Wallace, Asahel
Wallace,
George
Weare Daniel O.
White, Nelson
Whitney, Charles
Wilder,
Nathan
Wilder, Nathan H.
Wilson, William
Woodward, Isiah A.
Wormwood, John
Young, Samuel
Action of the Town in the Civil War.
Extracts from Records. — "April 11, 1862. At a special meeting called for the
purpose, the town voted to authorize the selectmen to hire a sum of money not to
exceed $12 per month for all the persons in each family of the volunteers who
have, or may enlist, from Dalton into the military service of the United States.
"September 11, 1862. Voted to raise $100 for each man who volunteers
from Dalton, under the last call of the President, for three years, to be paid
when mustered into United States service; also, to pay each volunteer for nine
months $75, and the selectmen were empowered to raise $2,500 for this purpose
"August 25, 1863. Voted, on motion of E. P. Brooks, to raise $300 to pay
each man who is drafted and goes to war, or to his substitute if he procures
one, and to authorize the selectmen to hire the money at a rate of interest not
exceeding six per cent.
"December 12, 1863. Voted that the town raise
money to cash the Government, and State bounties, and pay the same to each
volunteer or person who may enlist to help make up the quota of the town under
the call of October 17, 1863, at the proper time: also, to raise not to exceed
$300 in addition to the Government and State bounties to pay to each of such
volunteers or enlisted men.
"May 31, 1864. Voted, on motion of Nathaniel
P. Scott, to raise $300 to pay to each drafted man or his substitute; also, on
motion of Arnold Bolles to pay such volunteers as may have enlisted to help make
up the quota of the town under the last call prior to the draft, $300 each
"August 10, 1864. Voted to raise the whole amount of money authorized by the
State to pay as bounty to volunteers, drafted men, or their substitutes, for
one, two, three or more years; Benjamin B. Brooks and John Blakslee were chosen
a committee or agents to till the quota of the town, with authority to bind the
town by note for money sufficient to fill the quota from insurgent States if
expedient, and to advance the same and pay the same upon credit of the town
whether for volunteers, drafted men, or their substitutes, and to receive all
papers of assignment, or otherwise relating to the business, in the name of the
town.
"September 3, 1864. Voted, on motion of Nathaniel P. Scott, that
the town raise $800 to pay as bounty to resident volunteers to fill the quota
under the present call; also, oa motion of Lorenzo Parr, voted to pay drafted
men or their substitutes, and other volunteers, who may enlist as aforesaid, as
much as the law allows. The committee, chosen previously was continued in
office.
"January 14, 1865. Voted to raise $300 to pay each volunteer
other than resident volunteers, and assume the State bounty and cash the same
for three years; also, to raise money and pay resident volunteers $500 each for
one year: also, to pay each drafted man or his substitute $200. The selectmen
were chosen agents with authority to hire money upon the credit of the town for
these purposes."
Mines. — Several attempts have been made to mine the
copper which is found in several parts of the town. On the hill above Scott's
still are the buildings covering- a shaft which was sunk seventy or eighty feel
deep but a few years ago. Nothing remunerative has followed the labor, and
probably neither the copper, gold, silver or lead that may exist in the hills
will ever be one-tenth as profitable as the growth of the productive farms.
Some of the best farms in the county are to be found on Dalton hills. It
would be impossible to name all in a work of this character, but we should not
fail to mention Lucius Bond, who has not only a fine farm, but has been for long
years one of the leading, solid men of this section: the Aldrich Brothers who
are developing a farm that would be a credit to any town in this state; Preston
J. Ruggles, the veteran hop-raiser, who shows the skill of the true farmer. The
Blakslee farm is also an old and noted one in a picturesque location. N. P.
Scott, with his productive farm at the railroad station bearing his name, must
not be forgotten.
In 1849 and 1850 a large amount of labor was given by
a gang of men in blasting a channel of proper depth in the Connecticut along the
Fifteen-mile falls for the running of lumber.
Murder. — In March, 1877,
J. G. Kimball murdered his wife, for which crime he was sentenced to thirty
years imprisonment at hard labor in the State's prison.
The following
sons of Dalton became physicians: Dr. N. H. Scott, Dr. James B. Sumner, Jr., Dr.
Edward Farr, Dr. William Gordon (dec), Dr. Harry Hildreth.
Brief
Personal Sketches. — John Blakslee, Sr., came to Dalton from North Haven, Conn.,
in 1797, and deeded, in 1801, the farm where his son John Blakeslee now lives,
and resided there ever after — sixty-four years. This is truly a pleasant place
and a sightly. Mr. Blakslee married, first, Sally Blake, second, Bathsheba
Blake. Both were daughters of Moses Blake, the pioneer. Mr. Blakslee died in
1872, in his ninety-fifth year. The present owner, John Blakeslee, Jr., is now
in his seventy-sixth year, the oldest male resident born in Dalton.
John
Tenney came from Alstead, N. H., in March, 1820, with his wife, Sophia, and two
daughters. He settled on the next farm to Mr. Blakslee, (now a beautiful and
productive place, and owned by the Aldrich brothers,) and died there aged
seventy-six. His daughter, Lucy Ann, married John Blakeslee, Jr. His son, Hon.
Asa W. Tenney, is a leading lawyer of New York city, has been United States
attorney, and is a prominent Republican politician and speaker.
William
Wallace was an early settler, coming to Dalton in 1798, and rolled up his
log-cabin on what was afterward known as the ''Old Wallace Place." His two sons
were Ira and Asahel, who were residents of Dalton until their death. They were
useful, industrious men. Ira married Keziah Southwick, a native of
Massachusetts. Mr. Wallace was a Christian, and an earnest worker in the church.
His wife was a thoroughly good woman and a practical housewife. She died in
1875. Of their children only one is now in Dalton — Deacon George Wallace. He
lives on the farm where his parents commenced their married life; he inherits
the sterling virtues of his sturdy ancestors, and is much esteemed by his
townsmen.
John Crane came to Dalton from Richmond in 1798, and was a
school teacher for many years. Nahum Crane built a saw- mill on the Valley
brook, and later a wood- working shop. William Crane came in 1800 and was a
cooper. Ebenezer Crane was an early settler, coming to Dalton in 1818. He
resided here nearly fifty years, dying in 1867. He cleared land, laid
foundations for houses, barns, bridges, and was an energetic worker. He owned
and carried on three farms for years. He married, January 19, 1822, Rebecca G.
Russel, of Dublin, N. H., who survives him, and with her daughter, Miss M. E.
Crane, resides on the "Crane farm."
Rev. Samuel Hudson Partridge, born
in Dalton, was a faithful minister of the gospel. He labored in New Hampshire,
Vermont, Maine and the Provinces. He died in Greenfield, May, 1881, aged fifty-
six years.
Andrew Lang, a native of Barnet, Vt., came to Dalton in 1836.
His wife was Eliza Scott, of Richmond. They have been residents here for over
half a century, and celebrated his golden wedding in 1885. He is now the station
agent, is active for his years, and has been a valuable citizen. His son, J. M.
Lang, has been quite prominent in town affairs, has held numerous official
positions, and has been county treasurer. His daughter, Mrs. M. E Britton,
resides in town.
Jonathan Scott, a native of Richmond, came here in
1835. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Bowles. His only son, Nathaniel,
married Margaret Harriman and resides on the old homestead at Scott's station.
He is an enterprising farmer and a survival of the quaint honest Yankee of a
generation ago. He has a son, who is a physician.
Jacob Barrows came in
1806 from Hanover, it is said, and built a pottery quite early. This was located
near where Bert A. Taylor's store and the church now stand. He cleared up a
farm, drew a pension for services in the Revolution, but had not the faculty of
acquiring worldly wealth. In the better riches of religious faith and enjoyment
he was opulent, and his was one of the earliest houses opened for religious
exercises in town. (See Methodism in another chapter of this town's history.) In
later life he moved to Vermont.
Urial Barrows, son of Jacob, came with
his father, and was an energetic clearer of land for many years — an untiring
worker.
Jonathan Fisher, probably a native of Alstead or Unity, came, in
1800, and purchased a lot on which some clearing had been done, and developed a
fine farm. It is said that he brought to bearing the first orchard in a large
area. Thomas, a son of Jonathan, was here in 1809. He was a stone-cutter, and
combined his trade with developing his farm (a part of his father's). Jonathan,
Jr., occupied another part of this farm after his father's death.
In
1821 Alvin and Asa Taylor, David Sumner, James B. Sumner and three others
purchased all the then unsold land from Messrs. Clark, Hare, Murray & Co., and
James B. Sumner and Asa Taylor became residents and exerted for years a powerful
influence upon the town. Mr. Sumner engaged extensively in lumbering, purchased
large tracts of pine and spruce land, did business on a grand scale, built
mills, stores, the large Sumner House, a summer hotel, a toll-bridge across the
Connecticut on the location of the present railroad bridge, controlled largely
the policy and politics of the town, and, when he died, his estate was found to
be hopelessly insolvent, and many were seriously injured financially by their
connection with him. The high taxes paid in Dalton are a constant reminder of
his sway, and a legacy of his financial policy. The first Sumner House was
burned, and soon rebuilt more expensively, and is now rapidly going to decay,
only inhabited by strolling impecunious people who take temporary lodgment
there. He, at one time, constructed a small steamer to run to Lancaster on the
Connecticut, which only made one trip.
Lorenzo Farr was a resident of
Dalton from his youth, lived for the most of the time on the farm where he died
November 25, 1884. He was a highly esteemed and much respected citizen, and held
many offices within the gift of his townsmen.
The Brooks family was a
prominent and useful one in town for many years. Capt. Benjamin Brooks and his
son Benjamin were often in official positions. They were inn-keepers,
proprietors of stage routes, and Benjamin Brooks, Jr., served many years
consecutively as town clerk, treasurer, grand and petit juror, etc., etc. Oliver
P. Brooks also held numerous positions of honor and trust, which were faithfully
discharged. He was a candidate for state senator in 1832.
Horace
Cushman, son of Parker Cushman who was born in Charlestown, N. H., January 3,
1773, and died at North Littleton, in 1873, aged 100 years and five months, was
born in 1802, spent his early life in Littleton. He married, first, Abigail
Oakes; second, Phebe Williams. He resided a few years in the south part of
Lancaster near "Scotts." Nearly fifty years ago he removed to Dalton and settled
upon what was their home until his death in 1886. Mr. Cushman was a good
citizen, a man of mark, extensively known and respected. Of his children were
Edward F.; Eliza A. (Mrs. Brooks), matron of the Home of the Young Women's
Christian Association, Boston, Mass.; Charles M. (deceased); Mary M., wife of
James D. Harriman, M. D., of Hudson, Mass.; and Cornelius J., of Dalton.
John Ladd, first selectman of Unity, N. H., was father of Hiram Ladd, who
was born in Unity, August 19, 1800, and married Aurelia Palmer, of Castleton,
Vt., (born February 1, 1804,) February 1, 1827, and in the summer they moved to
Dalton, where Mr. Ladd built the house near the Whitefield depot, occupied now
by Thomas Ruggles. The whole region between the house and the mountain was a
wilderness. Mr. Ladd had a farm of 300 acres, and also engaged in merchandising.
After a few years he exchanged his place for one covering the site where the
decaying "Sumner Mansion" now stands. His children were Hannibal E., William S.,
Mary, Lucy, and Kate G. Mrs. Ladd was a very domestic woman, always at home, and
a hard worker, spinning and weaving the cloth for her whole family's winter
outfit; yet she found time for reading all that came in her way, kept ahead of
her children in astronomy, geology, natural philosophy and chemistry, and was a
most agreeable and intelligent conversationalist. She died in 1858. Mrs. Ladd's
mother was a Bowling, of Scotch descent, a woman of extended information in
history and literature. Her brother, Dr. Palmer, a celebrated chemist, was the
founder of Castleton (Vt.) Medical college.
Mr. Ladd was a Methodist in
religious belief, Democrat in politics; served as justice of peace and selectman
in Dalton, was social, a good neighbor, and stood high in the esteem of the
people for his good strong judgment. He died in 1871. His three daughters all
take a prominent position in society. Mary (Mrs. George N. Abbott, of Newbury,
Vt.,) is a lady of culture, artistic tastes, and a ready writer. Lucy (Mrs.
George W. Stratton) has the advantages of many years' residence in Europe, where
she is now. Her husband, an importer of musical instruments, went to Europe in
1871 in the interest of his business, and she accompanied him, visiting America
but once since. She has had exceptional opportunities, and possesses the ability
to profit by them. She has written the librettos for several operettas. "Laila,"
"Genevieve," and "The Fairy Grotto" have been published and are well known.
While in London she did some missionary work among the London poor — not without
success. She is an easy, fluent writer. Kate (Mrs. William Barry Smith, of Erie,
Pa.,) is one of the most active missionary women, and is corresponding secretary
for forty churches. Hannibal E. is an extensive farmer, resides near Erie, Pa.
William S. is a lawyer. [See Bench and Bar.]
Bert A. Taylor, the present
member of the Legislature, is one of Coos county's live men. He is a merchant,
and for so young a man (forty-five years) has been much in town office, as
school superintendent, clerk, treasurer, post master, selectman, representative,
and member of Constitutional convention of 1876. He has filled each position
with wise judgment and creditably.
By Rev. James P. Stone.
The Congregational Church. — From the imperfectly- kept records
from which much that should appear, if ever recorded, has been lost, it is
impossible to prepare a history by any means full, or accurate: but from what
appears upon the records I gather the following: —
"April 25, 1816.
Agreeable to previous agreement, a number of persons met for the purpose of
taking into consideration the propriety of forming a church. A few expressed
their desire to be united with others in church relation. The time was spent in
inquiry, conversation, and exhortation, and the meeting was adjourned for two
days.
"April 27, 1816. According to previous adjournment, a number of
the inhabitants of the town met at the dwelling house of Capt. Benjamin Brooks,
for further action as to the organization of a Congregational church. They
having invited Rev. Samuel Goddard, of Concord, Vt., to meet with them; in
compliance with their request he was present. Several persons presented
themselves, expressing a desire to enter into Church relation and covenant. Mr.
Goddard inquired as to their motives, their manner of life, doctrinal views, and
experimental knowledge of the Christian religion, and gained a comfortable hope
that the persons here mentioned were Children of God, viz., Abel Moore, Benjamin
Brooks, Oliver P. Brooks, John Putnam, Polly Brooks, Anna Moore, Mercy Wilder,
Lydia Brooks, and Vina Moore. A confession of Faith, and Covenant was then
presented for their consideration (substantially the same as that of other
Evangelical Congregational Churches) and the meeting was adjourned to the same
place the next day.
"Sabbath, April 28, 1816. The above named candidates
for church membership, met according to adjournment. Rev. Samuel Goddard
conducted devotional services. The articles of faith were read, and assented to
by all the candidates, and Mr. Oliver P. Brooks and Mrs. Mercy Wilder were
baptized (The others had all previously received the ordinance.) The Covenant
was then read, to which all heartily assented, upon which Mr. Goddard declared
them to be a Congregational Church of Christ and in fellowship with all other
Evangelical Congregational churches. Then the communion service was observed, —
the Lord's supper being administered by Rev. Samuel Goddard.
"The above
is a true record of the establishment of a Congregational Church of Christ in
Dalton, New Hampshire. 'Attest, Oliver P. Brooks, Clerk.''
To this
little church, consisting at first of nine members, viz.: Benjamin Brooks,
Oliver P. Brooks, Abel Moore, John Putnam, Vina Moore, Mercy Wilder, Anna Moore,
Polly Brooks and Lydia Brooks, there were soon occasionally small additions. The
first added was Dalton Blake and his wife, Deborah Blake, Lucy B., widow of
Moses Blake, and Dan. Clark. That was in February, 1818. In May, 1820, were
received four more, viz.: Joel Fay, Betsey Fay, Maria Moore and Louisa Moore. In
July, 1821. were received Rhoda Crane, Persis Brooks, Rachel Crandel and Mary
Wallace; in March, 1822, Willard Harding, Polly Harding and Joel Crandel; in
April, 1824, Mary D. Brooks, Philemon Ruggles and Eliza Ruggles. After this no
more were received before May 10, 1829. Then on the church catalogue appear the
names of Mary Fay, Lewis Partridge and Ezra Fay; in 1830, Sophia Tenney. Up to
this date, if the records are correct, all the names that have ever been
recorded upon the church catalogue amounted to but thirty.
Up to this
time the little church had never had a meeting-house, or any very convenient
place for worship. Though they had been favored from the first with occasional
preaching; and though with or without a minister they were accustomed to have
religious service, at least every Sabbath, yet their meetings must be held in
some private house or in an inconvenient school- house. It was not till the year
1830 that anything effective was done about a meeting-house. That year Rev. Luke
A. Spofford having intimated that if an effort should be made, probably other
churches would assist to the amount of $200, a subscription was started and $250
at once subscribed, and pledges given to pay equal proportions of what the house
should cost more, if anything aside from what might be realized from the sale of
pews or otherwise. The old records show that on the last Monday of March, 1830,
at 3 o'clock p.m., the First Congregational church and society (a society was
legally organized June 25, 1828,) met at the inn of Benjamin Brooks, in Dalton,
agreeably to previous notice; chose Dea. Joel Fay, moderator, and Benjamin
Brooks, O. P. Brooks and Joel Fay, building committee. Voted that the committee
proceed to the erection of the meeting house without delay; also voted that the
committee be authorized to purchase a site of Jacob Barrows, for said
meeting-house. Voted to adjourn, O. P. Brooks, clerk. (See old church and
society records, page 144.)
The committee, as instructed, proceeded at
once to the erection of the meeting-house. A substantial frame was soon up and
inclosed, and the house was occupied, but in an entirely unfinished state, and
it was several years before it was completed. For a long time hard benches
served for pews. But still the people had a place, such as it was, for their
religious meetings, for which they were thankful. Soon after the church got into
their new meeting-house, though it was still in an unfinished state, there begun
to be more of religious prosperity. From April, 1830, to the end of the year
1838, twenty-six persons united with the church, and of these eighteen were
received in the year ls:;t. During the ten years from the close of 1830 to the
end of 1840, the following names are added to the list of church members: Joanna
Fay, Hannah Brooks, Thaddeus Metcalf, Almira Metcalf, Abigail C. Blake, Ruth
Holmes, Betsey Partridge, Nathan Wilder. Lydia Wilder, Mary P. Brooks, Thomas
Dean, Lucy Dean, Ezra Livermore, Betsey Livermore, John 'Penney, George Loud,
John Brown, Abigail Blake, L. Pamelia Brooks, Harriet Newell Brooks, Lucy G.
Bilker, Louisa Barker, Emily Tenney, Lucy Ann Tenney, Mary A. Hutchinson, Almira
Banfield, Esther B. Sumner, Edmund Holmes. Louisa F. Rix, Emily Metcalf and
Thaddeus Metcalf, Jr. From the foregoing it would appear that previous to
January 1, 1811, there had been connected with this church since its
organization, in all sixty-two persons, and possibly more; but from the old
records it would seem that previous to that date, of the sixty-two who had once
been members, thirty-two had been by deaths, dismissions and excommunications,
removed, so that at that time the whole number of members remaining was but
thirty, of whom twelve were males and eighteen females. And although from that
date to January 1, 1850, twenty-one more had been received, still we read, over
the signature of 0. P. Brooks, clerk, January 1, 1850: Total membership of the
church at this date, thirty-four; whole number of resident male members, eight;
whole number of resident female members, sixteen; non-resident males, five;
non-resident females, five; total of resident members, twenty-four. And when,
after seven years and a half, seven more had been received, we read, July 1,
1857: Whole number of church members, twenty-eight; male members, eight; female
members, twenty.
Six years later, when twenty more had been added to the
church, making, as is supposed, a total of 103 who have sometime been members,
appears upon the records the following minute: —
"First Sabbath in July
1863, "Miss Emily Blakslee, Miss Sarah Baker and Miss Emily Baker, were publicly
received to the Church, making a membership of 35 in all. Males 9, Females 26 —
total 35.
"O. P. Brooks, Clerk."
From the foregoing it may be
observed, that though from time to time the accessions to the church had been
considerable, yet the numbers removed had so well nigh kept pace with the
numbers received, that the church was never otherwise than small. There have
been during the seventy years of its existence 152 members, possibly more, and
yet, so many have been the removals that the whole membership, at the present
time, of whom four are non-residents, is but forty-three persons — nine males
and thirty-four females.
Though the church has at times been favored
with seasons of special religious interest, yet never with any extensive and
powerful revival; no very great number of conversions has ever occurred in the
town in any one year. As ascertained from the imperfect records, the greatest
number ever received to membership in one year was twenty-two (seventeen on
profession) in 1834, during the ministry of Rev. William Hutchinson. The next
greatest number was in 1875, when seventeen were received, all but three on
profession; and six more the following year, making twenty-three in two years,
as the result of meetings held by workers of the New Hampshire Young Men's
Christian Association, during the ministry of Mr. A. E. Hall. In the early part
of Mr. Stone's ministry twelve were added to the church, but notwithstanding a
protracted effort by gospel workers from abroad, no additions have been made
since, and it is to be feared that not a single conversion has occurred in the
place. In the meanwhile, by the deaths of highly valued members, and by
removals, the church is diminishing in numbers, and becoming gradually weaker in
moral and spiritual power. Nevertheless Christians do not despair, but wait in
hope for better days.
Deacons. — Joel Crandell, as is supposed, was the first deacon, but the date
of his election is not known. In 1825 he left the church and joined the
Methodists. Joel Fay is supposed to have succeeded Deacon Crandell. The date of
his election cannot be ascertained. He was dismissed and went to Peterboro, in
1848. 0. P Brooks and O. M. Brooks were chosen deacons January 1, 1862. In
November, 1865, they were dismissed, 0. P. Brooks to the church in Bethel,
Maine, and O. M. Brooks to a church in Portland; Thaddeus Met calf was chosen
first deacon July 27, 1866, and Julius Bond second deacon; Dea. Metcalf died
July 1*, 1876, aged eighty years; Deacon Bond removed to Whitefield. William S.
Crouch Avas chosen deacon July 18, 1876; he died suddenly, much lamented, June
22, 1884. George E. Wallace was chosen deacon May 13, 1877, and since the death
of Dea. Crouch has served alone.
Ministers. — The church has been
favored with the labors of many different ministers. The following, gathered
from the old records, is deemed worth preserving: —
1816. Church formed
by Rev. Mr. Goddard.
1817. Rev. Jonathan Hovey preached to the people, and
remained two years, or more.
1821. Rev. Drury Pairbank, of Littleton,
supplied occasionally from 1821 to 1829.
1830. Rev. Luke A. Spofford, of
Lancaster, supplied one fourth of the time at Dalton twa years, and through his
efforts and influence the building of a meeting house was commenced.
1833-1835. Rev. William Hutchinson preached here, during which time there was an
interesting revival and a goodly number united with the church. In 1834 sixteen
were added on profession. While here, in Sept. 1833, his beloved wife, Mary A.
Hutchinson, died, aged 33 years— most deeply lamented.
1836-1837. Rev.
Edward Buckston preached several months.
1838. Rev. Horace Wood came in the
fall and preached several Sabbaths.
1839. July 10 Mr. Wood was installed
Pastor of this Church by an Ecclesiastical Council. 'The exercises were as
follows: Invocation and reading of Scriptures, Rev. Josiah Morse; Introductory
Prayer, Rev. F. P. Smith; Sermon, by Rev. Moses Gerould; Consecrating Prayer,
Rev. Drury Fairbank; Charge to the Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Glines; Charge to the
people, Rev. Thomas Hall; Right Hand of fellowship, Rev. Isaac R. Worcester;
Concluding Prayer, Rev. C. W. Richardson; Benediction, by the Pastor. After
about six years of successful and acceptable labor, during which time 26 persons
united with the Church, partly for want of adequate support; Mr. Wood was on the
30th of April, 1845, dismissed by an ecclesiastical council agreeably to his own
request, and cordially and fully recommended to the confidence of the Churches.
From Sept., 1845, till sometime in 1848, Rev. Joseph Marsh was the minister
of Dalton. He removed to Guildhall, Vt.
1849. Rev. Jeremiah Glines supplied
for a while.
1850. Rev. J. M. Stearns supplied half the time.
1851. Mr.
Norton came, sent by Rev 15. P. Stone, Secretary of the Home Mission Society,
and preached a few Sabbaths. In the autumn came Rev. Charles Hartwell lor a few
weeks, when, having accepted an appointment by the A. B. C. F. M., he left for
China, where he remains, as missionary, at Foochow.
1852. Rev. O. Dickinson
preached here a short time, also Mr. Teale, who became a Missionary to the
Cherokees.
1853-1855. Rev. Charles E. Blake, a Baptist, supplied the desk
acceptably three years. Next. Mr. Lawton, a student from Andover (Mass.)
Seminary, supplied six Sabbaths.
1857. Rev. Mr. Esta supplied half the time
during the summer.
1858 Rev. Thomas Hall, late pastor in Waterford, Vt.,
supplied half the time. He preached his last sermon here at Communion, Jan.,
1859, and went to Guildhall, Vt., where he died. His widow afterwards became the
wife of Rev. Ephraim W. Clark, a highly esteemed missionary of the Sandwich
Islands.
1859 till July 1861. Rev. Mr. Pinkham, a Baptist, supplied the
desk, lie was immediately succeeded by Rev. George W. Stinson, who closed his
labors at the end of two years and removed to Windsor, Mass.
1863. After Mr.
Stinson left, Rev. Mr. Esta supplied till November, when Rev. Daniel McClenning
came, and remained two years. He was much beloved, but left in November, 1865 on
account of failing health.
1866. Next appears on the Church hook the name of
Rev. Henry Farrar, who was, July 27, 1866, chosen Moderator and Clerk of this
church. He was, on the 6th of Nov., 1867, ordained as an Evangelist. After this,
Mr. Farrar continued with his people some three years.
1872. During this
year Rev. Israel T. Otis, of Exeter, supplied about six months. After Mr. Otis
there appears to have been only occasional supplies till in 1874, when Mr. A. E.
Hall, a licentiate came, and remained till the spring of 1878, when, declining
an invitation to remain another year, lie removed to Sandwich. Rev. James P.
Stone, who had been many years pastor in Vermont, commenced his labors with this
church July 1, 1878, and remains as its acting pastor at the present time
(1887). The church has from an early date had an interesting Sabbath school,
sometimes of 100 members."
Meeting -House. — The church has a
comfortable place of worship. It is the same that was begun in 1830, the only
meeting-house ever built in town, but which has from time to time undergone
radical changes and improvements. Ai first, and for nearly fifty years, it was
without vestibule, belfry or steeple. Originally all the pews faced the doors,
the pulpit was between the doors, and very high, and the orchestra very
spacious, extending entirely across the rear end of the house. But during Mr.
Blake's ministry, probably in 1854, the pulpit was Lowered to a more suitable
position, and a sort of altar built about and in front of it: the orchestra so
changed as to extend only to the aisles, or as far as the length of the body
pews, and new pews took the place before occupied by the extremes of the
orchestra. The house in the estimation of many was greatly improved, and thus it
remained for more than twenty years, till in 1875, during Mr. A. E. Hall's
ministry, another change was made; all the pews were taken up and turned so a/
to face the orchestra at the rear of the house, and a new pulpit set in front of
the orchestra. But with a defective chimney and leaky stove-pipes, the house
rapidly grew old, and further improvements were evidently much needed. Through
continued and strenuous effort on the part of Rev. Mr. Stone during the year
1879, an addition of 12x26 feet was made to the front of the house for a
vestibule, belfry and steeple. This gave space for a beautiful orchestra between
the doors, and a new pulpit and pulpit platform took the place of the old
orchestra. These changes gave room for a half dozen new pews. So, with a better
arrangement of stove-pipes, new carpets throughout, newly-papered walls, and new
arras upon all the pews, new windows, new belfry, steeple and weather vane, the
house presented a very comely appearance without and within. The amount
collected and paid out by Mr. Stone for these various improvements was $768 36.
Of this the Ladies' Social Circle paid $100, and Mr. S. P. Ruggles, of Boston,
$100, besides presenting a fine reed organ and the weather vane. The sweet-toned
bell of 600 pounds in the belfry was presented by Hon. A. W. Tenney, of
Brooklyn, N. Y. The house, with its renovations and additions, was rededicated
January 1, 1880. Parsonage. — Though the present parsonage is not the first, it
is decidedly the best and most convenient home for a minister this church and
society ever owned. It was secured by a movement of the Ladies' Social Circle in
1872, Of course the ladies had help from the gentlemen, but they were first and
foremost in the enterprise. By their means the house was purchased at $950, and
soon paid for, and deeded to the Congregational church and society. It was even
then a very comfortable cottage; but it has since been variously improved. While
occupied by Mr. Hall considerable sums were expended for repairs, etc. Since
occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Stone more has been done, and mainly through their
efforts. The old barn has been demolished, and a new and better one built. All
the buildings have been painted, and now present an appearance of neatness and
comeliness from every point of view. In procuring the means for building the new
barn, which cost over $300, $133 were secured by Mrs. Stone for names upon a
splendid allium bed quilt, which she purchased and sent as a present to a
nephew, who is a missionary in China.
So much concerning the little
Congregational church of Dalton. It has survived the age of threescore years and
ten; of the 152, or more, who have been its members, so many have passed away
that its present resident members are but thirty-nine — eight males and
thirty-one females. It has a good and comfortable meeting-house; a pleasant and
convenient parsonage; regularly maintains public worship, and hopes to live and
prosper, and be a light in Dalton for ages yet to come.
Methodism. -Extracts from Abel Stevens's " Memorials of the Early Progress of
Methodism in the Eastern States:" —
"Methodism was early introduced into
Dalton from Lunenburg. The first Methodist in Dalton was Jacob Barrows. He
became an exhorter and held meetings in his house. A class was formed soon after
he came. In 1803 Elijah Willard, from Lunenburg, preached in Dalton. E. Wells, a
local preacher, visited it about the same time. The next year Joel Winch
preached at Mr. Nichols's in the lower part of Dalton, and at Mr. Barrows's. Not
far from the same time, Mr. Buffington, a local preacher fr< mi Lunenburg, also
preached here.
"The first regular Methodist preaching was about 1805,
when Susanna Braden married a Crandall and moved into town. Her father, an old
Irish Methodist, soon came, and died in 1812-13. Rev. Joseph Lull preached his
funeral sermon, and he was regretted as one of the lay-founders of Methodism in
Vermont. The first quarterly meeting was held at the Brooks tavern. Solomon
Langdon was the circuit preacher. He labored mightily in word and doctrine, and
laid permanently the foundations of Methodism in this region. 'Lunenburg
circuit,' including both sides of the Connecticut valley from Lunenburg to the
'Boundary Line,' was formed about 1815."
There was once a Methodist
church in Dalton, but the date of its organization is not known. We learn that
as early as 1825 Deacon Crandall left the Congregational church and joined the
Methodists For some time the Methodist church was in membership about equal to
the Congregational church. They never had a meeting-house, and did not long
sustain (regularly) public worship; at length it became very feeble, and about
the years 1875 and '76, some who had been its members, and others who were
connected with Methodist families, united with the Congregational church, and
the Methodist church is regarded as extinct, although a few formerly belonging
to it have not yet connected themselves with any other church organization, but
worship with the Congregationalists.
Civil List — 1808. Amos Kidder served after the death of Agrippa Warren, John
Blakslee, Paul Cushman, selectmen; Agrippa Warren, Joel Crandal, clerks.
1809. Moses Blake, Nathaniel Brown, Joel Crandal, selectmen; Joel Crandal,
clerk; Capt. Lot Woodbury, representative.
1810. Edward Reid, John
Blakslee, Amos Kidder, selectmen; Joel Crandal, clerk; Edward Reid, treasurer.
1811. Amos Kidder, Levi Osgood, Jared Barker, selectmen; Amos Kidder,
clerk; Amos Kidder, treasurer.
1812. Amos Kidder, Joel Crandal, John
Blakslee, selectmen; Amos Kidder, clerk; Amos Kidder, treasurer.
1813.
Amos Kidder, John Blakslee, Nathan Wilder, selectmen; Aaron Edmands, clerk;
Edward Beid, treasurer; Edward Beid, representative.
1814. Joel Crandal,
Paul Cushman, Dal ton Blake, selectmen; Edward Beid, clerk; Edward Beid,
treasurer.
1815. Paul Cushman, Benjamin Brooks, Aaron Edmands,
selectmen; Benjamin Brooks, clerk; Aaron Edmands, treasurer.
1816. Aaron
Edmands, William Ewen, Jr., Oliver P. Brooks, selectmen: Aaron Edmands, clerk;
Benjamin Brooks, treasurer; Paul Cushman, representative.
1817. Aaron
Edmands, Joel Crandal. Paul Cushman. selectmen; Aaron Edmands, clerk; Benjamin
Brooks, treasurer.
1818. Aaron Edmands, Joel Crandal, Ebenezer Rix,
selectmen; Aaron Edmands, clerk; Benjamin Brooks treasurer.
1819. Aaron
Edmands, Ebenezer Rix, Abel Moore, selectmen; Elisha Cushman, clerk; Capt.
Benjamin Brooks, treasurer; Paul Cushman, representative.
1820. Ebenezer
Rix, Joel Crandal, Abel Moore, selectmen; Elisha Cushman, clerk; Capt. Benjamin
Brooks, treasurer.
1821. Ebenezer Rix. John Blakslee, Joel Crandal,
selectmen; Elisha Cushman, clerk; Capt. Benjamin Brooks, treasurer.
1822. Ebenezer Rix, John Blakslee, Joel Crandal, selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
clerk; Capt. Benjamin Brooks, treasurer; Ebenezer Rix, representative.
1823. Ebenezer Rix. Aaron Edmands, Abel Moore, selectmen; Benj. Brooks. Jr.,
clerk; Capt. Benjamin Brooks, treasurer.
1824. Joel Crandal, Ebenezer
Rix, Oliver P. Brooks, selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Capt. Benjamin
Brooks, treasurer.
1825. Ebenezer Rix, Abel Moore, Aaron Edmands,
selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr. treasurer; Ebenezer Rix,
representative.
1826. Joel Crandal, Oliver P. Brooks, Aaron Ballon,
selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr., treasurer.
1827.
Oliver P. Brooks, Dalton Blake, William Loud, selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
clerk. Benj. Brooks, Jr., treasurer: Ebenezer Rix. representative.
1828.
Michael Fitzgerald. Joel Fay. Willard G. Cushman, selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr., treasurer.
1829. Willard G. Cushman, Oliver P.
Brooks, Joel Fay, selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
treasurer.
1830. Ebenezer Rix, Michael Fitzgerald, Joel Fay, selectmen;
Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk: Benj. Brooks, Jr., treasurer.
1831. Oliver P.
Brooks. Joel Fay, James Fisher, selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj.
Brooks, Jr. treasurer; Asa Taylor, representative.
1832. W. G. Cushman,
M. Fitzgerald, B. Fay, selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr.
treasurer; Asa Taylor, representative.
1833. Michael Fitzgerald, Oliver
P. Brooks, Aaron Ballon, selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
treasurer: Asa Taylor, representative.
1834. Michael Fitzgerald, Oliver
P. Brooks, Aaron Ballon, selectmen: Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
treasurer; Asa Taylor, representative.
1835. Oliver P. Brooks, Willard
G. Eastman, Joel Fay, selectmen; Benj. Brooks, Jr., clerk; Benj. Brooks, Jr.,
treasurer: Asa Taylor, representative.
1836. Wm. Ewen. Aaron Fisk.
Ebenezer Rix, selectmen: Benjamin Fay, clerk; Benjamin Fay, treasurer; Asa
Taylor, representative.
1837. Oliver P. Brooks. Willard G. Cushman, Joel
Fay, selectmen: Benjamin Fay, clerk; Benjamin Fay, treasurer; James B. Sumner,
representative.
1838. Willard G. Cushman, John Smith, Ebenezer Rix,
selectmen; Benj. Brooks, clerk: Moses Blakslee, treasurer; James B. Sumner,
representative.
1839. John Smith. Amos Parker. John Bond, selectmen;
Alex. W. Sumner, clerk; Alex. W. Sumner, treasurer; James B. Sumner,
representative.
1840. John Bond. Wm. Ewen, Hoses H. Rix, selectmen;
Alex. W. Sumner, clerk; Alex. W. Sumner, treasurer; Aaron Ballon,
representative.
1841. Wm. Ewen, Muses H. Rix, William B. Crane,
selectmen; Benj. Fay, clerk; Alex. W. Sumner, treasurer; Aaron Ballon,
representative.
1842. Willard G. Cushman, Sumner Buggies, Jonathan
Scott, selectmen; Benj. Fay, clerk; Lewis A. Messerve, treasurer; Hiram Smith,
representative.
1843. Moses H. Rix, Sumner Ruggles, John Smith,
selectmen; Benj. Fay, clerk; no treasurer; Aaron Ballon, representative.
1844. Moses H. Rix, John Smith, John Blakslee, Jr., selectmen; Wm. B. Crane,
clerk; no treasurer; Hiram Smith, representative.
1845. Moses H. Rix.
John Blakslee. Jr., Elijah Baker, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; Wm. Ewen,
treasurer; John Crane, representative.
1846. Elijah Baker, George Loud,
Linus Blakslee, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; Wm. Ewen, treasurer; John Crane,
representative.
1847. Wm. Ewen, George Loud, Linus Blakslee, selectmen;
Wm. B. Crane, clerk: Wm. Ewen, treasurer; Moses H. Rix. representative.
1848. George Loud, Elijah Baker, Hiram Ladd, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk;
William Atherton, treasurer: Moses H. Rix, representative.
1849. Elijah
Baker, Hiram Ladd, Aaron Ballou, selectmen; William B. Crane, clerk; no
treasurer; Moses H. Rix, representative.
1850. Moses H. Rix, John
Blakslee, Jr., Lucius Bond, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; selectmen perform
the duties of treasurer; Benj. D. Brewster, representative.
1851. Moses
H. Rix, John Blakslee, Jr., Lucius Bond, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; Moses
H. Rix, treasurer; Benjamin D. Brewster, representative.
1852. Moses H.
Rix, Geo. B. Brown, Sumner Ruggles, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; Moses H.
Rix, treasurer; Moses H. Rix, representative.
1853. Thomas Smith. Wm.
Atherton, John Crouch, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; Thomas Smith, treasurer;
Benj. D. Brewster, representative.
1854. Wm. Atherton, Elijah Baker,
Charles C. Gordon, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk, J.A. Harriman, clerk from May
10; Wm. Atherton, treasurer; John Couch, representative.
1855. Elijah
Baker, Charles C. Gordon, George B. Brown, selectmen; Oliver M. Brooks, clerk;
Elijah Baker, treasurer; John Ci'ouch, representative.
1856. John Bond,
Hannibal E. Ladd, Arnold Bolles, selectmen; Wm. B. Crane, clerk; John Bond,
treasurer; Aaron Ballou, representative.
1857. Hannibal E. Ladd, Arnold
Bolles, Joseph P. Taylor, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Hannibal E. Ladd,
treasurer; John M. Tillotson, representative.
1858. Arnold Bolles,
Joseph P. Taylor, Lorenzo Farr, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Moses H. Rix.
treasurer; John M. Tillotson, representative.
1859. Joseph P. Taylor,
Lorenzo Farr, Daniel Ewen, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Moses H. Rix,
treasurer; John Bond, representative.
1860. Lorenzo Farr, Daniel Ewen,
Robert C. Taylor, selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; John
Bond, representative.
1861. Daniel Ewen, R. C. Taylor. Thos. J. White,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix. clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Thomas Smith,
representative.
1862. Lorenzo Farr, Thomas J. White, James Bolles,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; Thomas Smith,
representative.
1863. Moses H. Rix, Thomas J. White, James Bolles,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Moses H. Rix, treasurer; Robert C. Taylor,
representative.
1864. Moses H. Rix. James Bolles, Lucius Bond,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Moses H. Rix, treasurer; Sumner Ruggles.
representative.
1865. Lorenzo Fair. Lucius Bond, John p. White,
selectmen; Moses M. Rix, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; Sumner Ruggles,
representative.
1866. Lorenzo Fan-. Lucius Bond, John F. White,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; Arnold Bolles,
representative.
1867. Daniel Ewen, Thomas J. Smith, Thomas J. Ruggle.-.
select men: Moses H. Rix, clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Arnold Bolles,
representative.
1868. Daniel Ewen. Thos. J. Ruggles, Ancil C. Hall,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Daniel Ewen, treasurer; Lucius Bond,
representative.
1869. Thos. J. Ruggles, James Bolles, Bert A. Taylor,
selectmen; Moses H. Rix, clerk; Thomas J. Buggies, treasurer; Lucius Bond
representative.
1870. Daniel Ewen, James Bolles, Wm. L. Smith,
selectmen; M. H. Rix, clerk; M. H. Rix, treasurer; Lorenzo Farr, representative.
1871. Daniel Ewen, William L. Smith, Hiram Aldrich, selectmen; M. H.
Rix, clerk; M. H. Rix, treasurer; Lorenzo Farr, representative.
1872.
Bert A. Taylor, Hiram Aldrich, Thos. J. White, selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk;
Lorenzo Farr, treasurer; Henry Bacon, representative.
1873. Bert A.
Taylor, Thos. J. White, Jona. M. Lang, selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel
Ewen, treasurer; Henry Bacon, representative.
1874. Jona. M. Lang,
Lucius Bond, Warren L. Gilman, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel Ewen,
treasurer; James Bolles, representative.
1875. Lucius Bond, W. L.
Gilman, Abraham W. Hubbard, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; Daniel Ewen,
treasurer; James Bolles, representative.
1876. B. A. Taylor, Ira C.
Carleton, Geo. C. Weston, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor,
treasurer; James B. Sumner, representative.
1877. Jona. M. Lang, Ira C.
Carleton, George Weston, selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor,
treasurer; James B. Sumner, representative.
1878. John Blakslee, Lucius
Bond, Herbert Blakslee, selectmen; Franklin P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor,
treasurer; Hiram Aldrich, representative.
1879. B. A. Taylor, Lucius
Bond, Joseph W. Kelso, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer;
Hiram Aldrich (biennial elections), representative.
1880. B. A. Taylor,
Jeremy Dexter, George Carpenter, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor,
treasurer; Hiram Aldrich, representative.
1881. B. A. Taylor, George
Carpenter, Wm. S. Crouch, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer;
Jonathan M. Lang, representative.
1882. Wm. S. Couch, George Carpenter,
Frank R. Powers, selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; Wm. S. Crouch, treasurer; J. M.
Lang, representative.
1883. Wm. S. Crouch, Lorenzo Farr, Jeremy Dexter,
selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; Wm. S. Crouch, treasurer; Frank P. Bond,
representative.
1884. Wm. S. Crouch. George E. Wallace, Joseph W. Kelso,
selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk: W. S. Crouch, treasurer; Frank. P. Bond,
representative.
1885. John Blakslee, Joseph W. Kelso, George A. Wallace,
selectmen; F. P. Bond, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer; Ora A. Mooney,
representative.
1886. Jona. M. Lang, Joseph W. Kelso, Geo. E. Wallace,
selectmen; B. A. Taylor, clerk; B. A. Taylor, treasurer: Ora A. Mooney,
representative.
1887. Jona. M. Lang, Geo. E. Wallace, J. W. Kelso,
selectmen; Bert A. Taylor, clerk; Bert A. Taylor, treasurer; Bert A. Taylor,
representative.
Contributed 2025 Dec 19 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages 506-539.
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This page was last updated
12/19/2025