GLOOMY PERIOD IN TOWN--TOWN'S POOR VENDUED--PROPERTY DOOMED ON ACCOUNT OF UNDERVALUATION--BOUNTY OFFERED BY SAMUEL BLODGETT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL AND FLAX--FISHWAYS OPENED IN PISCATAQUOG RIVER--THOMAS HALL A TOWN CHARGE--PETITION TO SEND REPRESENTATIVE TO GENERAL COURT INDEPENDENT OF ANY OTHER TOWN--NEW PLAN OF GOVERNMENT--CONSTABLES BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT--LAWSUIT--DOOMAGE--TOWN LINE--PAPER MONEY--CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS--BOUNTY OFFERED THE MINUTEMEN--SCHO0L LAND SOLD AND RENTED--LICENSES GRANTED--ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE THE TOWN--SOCIAL LIBRARY IN GOFFSTOWN INCORPORATED--BOUNTY VOTED THE MINUTEMEN IF CALLED FOR--LIST OF TAXPAYERS FOR 1796-1800 AND 1810

The commencement of this period was the year before the Revolution and the people were anxiously anticipating the occurrence of the serious trouble which followed. Money was short in the colonies and little was obtained by the colonists. The constables were delinquent in their returns not from neglect of duty in collecting but from necessity.

Roads that had been previously laid out and defined only by marked trees through the virgin forest, upon closer examination, were discontinued and a few considered of more feasible construction were laid out as substitutes, and no move toward the construction of these was even attempted.

Taxpayers in adverse circumstances requested to be released of their rates which in many cases the voters acceded to. A serious religious trouble mentioned under another subject added greatly to the gravity and seriousness of the situation.

In fact there was very little during the year 1774 that would in the least tend toward preparation for war, but war came nevertheless, and how heroically the people of Goffstown devoted their services to the same will be learned from that chapter.

This year the matter of the indigent and worthy poor was brought to the attention of the voters for the first time. There is an instance of previously warning out of town but no mention was been heretofore made of public support. "Voted that the widow Elizabeth Dommorin be Suported by moving from one hous to another in Goffstown as Sircamstances is." And probably some were not in suitable circumstances to entertain the widow Dommorin as at the town meeting in March, 1777, it was "Voted that she be vandued to the lowest bidder for the present year, as there are some persons in town who have refused to do anything for her according to what hath been voted."

It was also voted at this meeting "that all those who kept her for the year past be exempted from aney charges the present year." This probably means that they were exempt from any part of her support for the year 1777, as it is hardly possible that those who did entertain her should be exempt from their entire town charge.

The vendueing of the widow Dommorin marked the beginning of an era in the disposition of the town's poor which at the present time would be looked upon as semi-barbarous, but it was a practice which prevailed in all the towns in this section of the state.

That the contract should be binding certain articles of sale were signed by the selectmen on the part of the town and the purchaser:

   1^ly "the Lowest bidder Shall be the purchaser"
   2^ly "That they Shall be kept in Sufficient Meet; Drink, Washing and Lodging."
   3^ly "That no bid shall be accepted under a certain sum" which was fixed at the time of sale and depended on the value of the currency"
   4^ly "To provide in Every Respect but clothing and Doctor bill and Funeral Charges Excepted."

The purchaser was entitled to their labor if they were able to work. The physical condition of the pauper and his ability to labor were considered in bidding. In some instances the poor had the good fortune to be bid off by those who were humane in their treatment, but ofttimes it was the reverse. It would be an object lesson for those who persist in the belief that the world is not growing better to study some of the ancient customs and compare them with those of the present day.

It was also voted "that Robert McGregor be Justice of the Peace."

I am unable to offer any explanation of this, perhaps at that time, so soon after the Declaration of Independence, the townspeople had assumed to elect and leave it to the higher powers to confirm. Another misfortune which befell the inhabitants was undervaluation and as a result thereof the town was doomed in the year 1776 and Samuel Blodget and Capt. Moses Kelley were appointed a committee to attend the General Court with the new valuation for that year and explain to the members of the General Court who had the subject of valuation under advisement that a proportional increase had been made upon the rateable property in town the present year and that the town of Goffstown was rated as high proportionally as other towns.

This year Samuel Blodget, realizing the importance of the law of supply and demand of wool and flax, offers the following bounty:

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS BOUNTY

At the annual meeting in the spring of 1778 one of the more important matters which occupied the attention of the voters was the appointment of a committee to clear the fish course on the Piscataquog River. It appears that obstructions in the shape of dams had already been built of sufficient height to obstruct the free passage of fish which was contrary to the terms of the grant.

At a subsequent meeting held in August this year (1779) the principal articles embraced in the warrant were "to take in consideration the Bill of Rights and Plan of Government agreed upon at the convention at Exeter"; "to hear some accounts read and see if the town will allow them or not"; "to see if the town will raise any more money to hire preaching this year," and at the meeting a committee consisting of Moses Little, Esq., and fourteen others were appointed to consider the plan of government, who reported that the same be rejected, and the house unanimously sustained the committee.

   "Voted that widow Hannah Johnson's account be 'Excepted' for keeping and clothing a child of William Kemp"; this probably should read accepted in place of excepted, as William Kempt was away in the army.
   "Voted that the town allow all the various debts that is due to various persons for work at the bridge."
   "Voted that there be five days preaching the present year."
   "Voted that the town allow Alexander Gilchrist for seven quarts of rum," which was presumably used at the raising of the bridge.

As the town voted "to allow all the various debts that is due to various persons for work at the bridge" and as the bridge had been completed and they had not as yet enjoyed the preaching it is fair to presume that the rum was used at the bridge.

Near the close of this year Thomas Hall who had in former years been a well-to-do citizen of the town (Chapter VIII) casts himself upon the town having since 1765 resided in Derryfield and under guardianship of Lieut. John Hall and Alexander McMurphy. The town of Goffstown maintained that he lost his residence by removal, but their claim was erroneous and they were obliged to support and care for him in his declining years. Once a prosperous citizen of the town he is now brought to the auction block and vendued to the lowest bidder for support.

For the past three or four years Goffstown had been classed with Derryfield for the purpose of sending a representative; this was contrary to the wish of the inhabitants and they had repeatedly asked that they might have the privilege to send a representative to the General Court independent of any other town. In their petition they state that the town consists of 150 families, and they see no reason why they should be denied a full and free representation, and Samuel Blodget was appointed to present the petition to the General Court at Exeter.¹ If the prayer of the petition was not granted at this time it was very soon after, as Robert McGregor was elected in 1782 by the voters of Goffstown.

At a meeting May 27, 1782, it was voted "that there should be an amendment on the new plan of government," and in the following November "that there be a committee to pursue the plan of government." This committee consisted of Capt. Joshua Martin, Samu^el Blodget, Esq^r, Robert McGregor, Esq^r, Lieut. Enoch Sawyer, John ONaile, W^m McDoell, Tho^s Shirla, Philip Clement, Robert Kennedy.

This committee made a report and the town voted "to receive the same." On account of the great scarcity of money there was a continual trouble with the constables, since it was impossible for them at times to replenish the depleted treasury. They were obliged to distress, distrain and use every method possible to collect the taxes.

This year (1783) it was voted "that the Town allow Each Constable Ten Dollars for their Services this Year Exclusive of their perquests,"² which vote caused an enmity and bitter feeling. There probably was not the least doubt that the constable did not earn twice the ten dollars voted, but jealously and ingratitude overcame integrity and honor. At the time when the Revolution was drawing to a close and the inhabitants of the town could rejoice that an era of peace was about to dawn upon them, legal proceedings were instituted by Capt. Samuel Robie, Moses Little and Moses Kelley.

The controversy was concerning supplies furnished the Revolutionary soldiers. The town chose a committee to defend the suit and at the same meeting voted "to refer a petition to the General Court requesting that Moses Little Esq^r be dismissed from the office as Justice of the Peace, and that the town be permitted to the choice of another."

Evidently Robie and Little won their case as executions were issued in their favor, and the property of various residents including their oxen were attached and taken from them. This caused a very unhappy feeling in town, and a town meeting was called in the nature of a conference, at the request of a number of the inhabitants, and a committee was chosen and given full power to settle the "unhappy dispute," which they evidently did, as it was "voted to receive the report." And later "voted Alexander Walker, Robert McGregor, Job Kidder, Henry Blaisdell and Samuel Blodget be allowed the prise bill for their cattle that were taken by execution." It appears that certain persons concealed their property to escape taxation or refused "to give in" the same which led to the dooming of those so trying to escape taxation.

After this subject had been sufficiently agitated, the town elected a committee whose duty was "to look into the assessment of the money and the doomages in Goffstown, and likewise the cost of going to Concord."

A copy of the committee's report is here inserted:

   Gentlemen Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Goffes the Town of Goffes Town in Town Meeting Convened Can Peace and Truth be Brought to Dear how Long Shall the Sword of the Civil Majesty Devur Every Generous Mind Heartily applyed in Bringing about A wised for Hermoy Yoour Commitee for Considering the assessments Damages and Cost at General Court Beg Leave to Report.....That the Assessments is not Greater then what is Necessary to Descharg the Towns Debt
   That the Doomages be taken off the Persons (so Doomed) Giving in there Invoice
   That M^r Sam^el Kennedy in Behalf of the town be Alowed Nine pounds for his Cost at Gen^e Court and whereas the Petitioners Complaint was not wholly without Cause that M^r Alexander Gilcrest be allowed Nine Pound in Behalf of said petition and that orders be Given on the Treasurer or Constables for the above sumes......
   That it is the Sincere wish of your Commitee these and Every other Difficulty may be Done away and Justice and Equity take place

The flowery language used in the first lines seems to be rather out of place in the heading of the town committee's report, but this is more than counterbalanced by the thought expressed in the last sentence. The report of the committee and the adjusting of the matter was not without its good effect, for the town at its next annual meeting "voted that the inhabitants bring in their invoice to such a place as the selectmen shall appoint, and if there is any doubt they shall give it in on oath."

This year (1784) the town was constrained to borrow 15� of Joseph Buzzell to make a partial payment of a debt of 60� due Gen. John Stark as there was no money of the "town tex" collected. And the town guaranteed to defend the said Buzzell from any damage if an extent should come from the state treasurer.

On the 11th day of May, 1786, Job Dow, Samuel G. White and Moses Little were elected a committee to join in a convention with the neighboring towns to determine what was best to be done relative to the title of Allen and Mason's claim to unimproved land, and to see if they are willing that the curved line should be laid out. For reference to curved line see Chapter III.

This year a controversy arose relative to the line between Goffstown and New Boston. The matter seems to have originated in regard to the domicile of Mr. Joseph Leach, who lived upon the Leach Hill in the westerly part of Goffstown. Both towns claiming that he resided within their limits, and claimed his rates. The line was surveyed and resurveyed, and the selectmen of Goffstown petitioned the General Court to have the line established. The matter was referred to a committee but the report of the committee cannot be found.³

Evidently the law against profanity had been enforced as we find the town voted "to forgive David Stevens his note of hand of five shillings for Profain Swareing."

The town's poor are again put under the hammer and the widow Mirack and her "Intrist" and also the widow Dammerell "the purticher" to have an order for his pay upon the town treasurer at the year's "Eand."

   "N. B. no bid les than 6 to be accepted all Desputes to be Rectified in case of sickness the Docter to be paid by the town."
   "The widdow Mirack with her Intrist was bid off for 6 Dollars and four Shillings (for one year) and the widdow Dammerell for 14 Dollars and five Shillings."

And the purchasers sign the articles of sale, one writing his name and the other making his mark. The reader will recall that the husband of Widow Myrick died in the Revolutionary War and perchance will note the difference between her case and soldiers' widows at the present time.

At this time there was great uneasiness and on account of the dearth of coin it was almost impossible to secure enough for the payment of taxes. There was a popular craze for paper money. A town meeting was called, the votes read as follows:

   Voted "that there be a bank of paper Currency made"
   Voted "that there be a committee chosen to consult on what method said bank of paper currency be made."

The committee met and made a report at a subsequent meeting which was "excepted" (accepted). At a second meeting the matter was again brought up, and an enlarged committee were elected to further consider the matter. The committee reported at an adjourned meeting late in the fall, and they voted "to except (accept) of this committees report." And at the same meeting voted "to except of David Sawyer's account for vituals and drink that the committee expended in forming a plan for a per currency which sum is eighteen shillings.

Some of the votes passed at town meetings are more matters of curiosity than history, and some of which the curious may find pleasure in reading. Thus in the selling of the poor; Widow Dammerin be sold by the year and Thomas Hall be sold by the month.

   Voted "that the town allow Phillip Clements account for boarding Widow Myrick, and plank for bridge on Piscataquog river, ten shillings, three pence." The board must have been very cheap or the plank few.
   Voted "that the Court house in the County of Hillsboro be built as near the Senter of the County as it will Conveniently answer."
   "Voted that Joshua Bell be Commeted to the Cear of the overseers of the poor on the Towns coost til March meeting.
   "Voted six pence on had for crows."

In February, 1788, a convention was called to meet at Exeter to give their opinion relative to the proposed Constitution of the United States. It was a long time before the body which framed that great instrument could reach an agreement; at length it was attained, and the Constitution was sent to the several states to be ratified or rejected. Lieut. William Page was sent as a delegate from Goffstown and Col. Robert McGregor and six others constituted the committee chosen to give him instructions. The final vote to ratify was June 21, 1788.

At a special holden on the 7th of May, 1792, the voters were required to vote upon the articles of the amendments of the Constitution of the State of New Hampshire. The convention had been holden at Concord the previous February by adjournment. The voters of Goffstown rejected the amendments by a vote of fourteen to five. The following August another special meeting was holden for the purpose of electing presidential electors, four members of Congress and also to again vote upon the articles of the amendments of the Constitution.

The convention of February met again the following May at Concord. At this meeting the vote stood 11 in favor of the amendments and 2 against it. In the records of 1793 we find nothing of importance save that the voters were asked to build a hospital for smallpox patients, and see if the town will vote to build a number of schoolhouses, and also "voted not to send a Representative," which was later reconsidered and Robert McGregor was elected.

In 1794 difficulties beset the United States government on every hand. The treasury was empty and the United States had little credit. The Indians were hostile. England had never sent a minister to our government and had made no treaty of commerce with us. Congress agree to assume the debts contracted by the states during the Revolution, to pay the national debt in full including the continental money, to provide funds taxes were levied on imported goods and distilling of spirits.

In western Pennsylvania the Whiskey rebellion broke out, and so numerous and well organized were the rioters that 15,000 militia were ordered out to subdue them. They, finding the government in earnest, laid down their arms. The Indians, urged on by the English, were in open hostility, and General Wayne defeated them at Maumee and compelled them to make treaty. Soldiers were enlisted ready to march at short notice, and hence they were called minute men.

December 8, 1794, the town of Goffstown held a town meeting and the following votes were passed:

   "Voted that the minute men be held in readyness for one year."
   "Voted to give the minute men six shillings as a bounty, and make them up nine dollars per month after they enter into service."

For some years the care, renting and failure to return rentals of the school, ministerial and parsonage land had been a serious inconvenience to the people of Goffstown. Some lots had previously been leased, upon some the timber had been cut, and at one time the matter of erecting a sawmill upon one of the school lots was strongly discussed.

This year Philip Clement, John Butterfield and Joseph Craig make a report in regard to the school land, that they had vendued said land and sold the same for the sum of $1,116 as the gross sales, and that they had expended the sum $14.19 in selling, leaving a balance of $1,101.81; and for this amount they had taken notes bearing interest, and for the balance of land unsold, they had leased the same for an annual rental. And three years later the interest was applied toward hiring a school mistress in the several districts in the summer season.

They also passed a vote to sell that tract of land which was reserved to build a meeting-house upon, not being needed for that purpose. This lot was the southeast part of the seventh lot in the sixth range on the north side of Piscataquog River.

In 1797 French affairs assumed a serious aspect. Our flag was insulted and our vessels captured, and our envoys refused at the French directory unless a large sum of money was paid as a preliminary step to a treaty. The news of this aroused the nation, war seemed inevitable, orders were issued to raise an army and Washington was appointed commander-in-chief.

Hostilities had commenced on the sea but happily peace was proposed, ministers were sent to France and war was fortunately arrested. At this time Goffstown held a special town meeting on the 31st day of November, 1797, and voted "to give each person that would enlist $1.00 bounty and $2.00 more bounty when called for, to allow the soldiers ten dollars per month when called into actual service in addition to what the Congress allows."

It was "voted to sell the land that belonged to the town which was reserved for a burying yard in the original lay out of the town." And the selectmen were empowered to give a lease or deed of the same, and to put the money to what use they shall think proper. Which was certainly placing a great deal of confidence in the selectmen to say the least.

At the annual election in 1802 an article was inserted in the warrant, "to take the minds of the qualified Voters respecting a seperation of the Town in order for same." And Jn^o Gove, Esq., Joseph Craig and Philip Clement were chosen a committee to oppose a separation of the town.

Here for the first time the uneasiness of a certain class relative to dividing the town was made manifest, and a quietus was put upon the subject for a time at least. For a period of one hundred and fifteen years the division of the town of Goffstown to form another town, either in part or as a whole, or the annexation of some of our territory to the city of Manchester, has been a subject which has agitated the people.

December 15, 1803, Jonathan Gove, David Hale, Jr., and John Pattee, Jr., obtained a charter from the legislature incorporating the Social Library in Goffstown. The act of incorporation granted them all the powers incident to corporations of that kind. I am unable to find any further record concerning the company.

About the year 1805 Capt. James Karr, once a well to do citizen of Goffstown became a town charge, and was supported at the expense of the town by being moved from place to place as was the custom.

In the year 1809 or perhaps previously, he was warned out of the town of Hanover, which caused considerable comment, and Peter Pattee was given authority to investigate the matter. No doubt then as it would today, a feeling of sadness pervaded the minds of the townspeople that one who once occupied so prominent a position in town should be reduced to penury.

The selectmen often exhibited great prudence in the management of town affairs, and evidently had the welfare and finances of the town in mind. On the 28th of October, 1806, they required of one David Page a mortgage of his farm for $500 situate in the easterly half of lot No. 6 in the 5th range on the north side of Piscataquog River, and the conditions of the mortgage were that David Page should well and faithfully maintain and support his "Granney," Mary Page of Goffstown, in sickness and health and save the town harmless from all loss, cost and expense.

This year they "voted not to accept the account of ten dollars for repairing the bridge at Parker's." Many times in town meeting the voters seemed to be carried away by some hatred, antipathy or prejudice and refused to approve of even needful and necessary repairs.

The Piscataquog Canal Co. was incorporated June 18, 1806, for the purpose of cutting a canal from Gale's mills in Weare, now known as Gove's mill at Riverdale, through Goffstown, to Parker's Landing at Piscataquog Village, intending to enter the Piscataquog River a short distance easterly of the bridge at West Manchester.

On account of the war-like aspect between the United States and England, at the annual meeting in the spring of 1809 an article was inserted in the warrant "to see what encouragement the town will give those who may be called upon to be detached from the Infantry Company in this town."

And the town "voted to give the minute men twelve dollars per month and if called into actual service one months pay in advance."

From the present time henceforth until 1812 the all absorbing topic of the people of New England was a liability of the United States being plunged into war with Great Britain. The United States were weak, Goffstown like other New Hampshire towns was crippled by the embargo and all that the people could do in the meantime was so far as possible prepare for the inevitable.