CHAPTER XXIV.
Effects of the war upon manufactures.--Stickney's canal.--A Factory.--Embarrassments.--Town petition for leave to send a representative.--Presidential election.--War of 1812.--Great excitement at Piscataquog.--Arrest of Wm. P. Riddle, William Hall, Col. John Carter, Sergeant McCoy, and others.--Town permitted to send a representative,.--Presidential election.--Division of School Districts, Nos. 1 and 3.--Presidential election.--Population of Manchester.--Arrest and conviction of Daniel D. Farmer.--Death of Gen. Stark.--The controversy regarding the Mammoth Road.--Presidential election.--Population of Manchester.--Mammoth Road again.--Presidential election.--Build Mammoth Road.--Small Pox.--Old Meeting House altered into a Town House.--Presidential election.--Substitute for part of Mammoth Road.--Insane Asylum,--Candia Road.--Additional Highway Districts.--Vote to buy a Town Farm.--Committee and money raied [sic raised?],--Committee to make new school Dietricts [sic Districts?]--Sale of lots by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.--Town meeting to make additional municipal Regulations.--First boards of Firewards a Police.--Annual town meeting of 1840.--Attempt to adjourn.--Excitement.--Choose Constables--Choice of Selectmen.--Justice Stark's remarks.--Laying out of Elm, Bridge, Lowell, Concord, Amherst, Hanover, Manchester, Pine, and Chestnut streets.--Laying out of Harvey and Nutt road.--Population.--Presidential election.--Committee chosen on Town House, and Cemetary Lots.--Meeting as to these lots, at Washington Hall.-- Deeds submitted from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.--Deeds accepted.--Vote to hold next meeting in Baptist Church, on Manchester street.--Accept deeds again from Company.--New Town House Lot.--Order Cemetary lot to be fitted up.--Vote to build Town House, raise money for the same.--Town Meeting as to Town Farm.--Town House, and Pound.--Calef Road laid out.--Vine street, and various back streets laid out, Reservoirs.--School houses at Nos. 6 and 9 built.--Annual meeting of 1843.--Vote to adopt certain chapters of the Revised Statutes.--The Hooksett Road laid out.-- Town Meeting June, 1843.--Vote to prosecute all persons who violate the license law,--to make the house on Town Farm a house of Correction.--Town Hall destroyed by fire.--Town Meeting Aug. 30.--Vote to build Town Hall.-- Vote as to the feasibility of bringing water into the town. Town Meeting of September 17, 1844.--Reservoirs.-- Presidential election.--Courts to be held here.--Committee on Common Sewers.--Murder of Jonas L. Parker.--Application for a city charter.--Vote to build Sewer from Bridge street to Granite street. City Charter accepted.
While the Manufacturing interest was thus thriving in this neighborhood and town, there was a corresponding thrift noticeable in most other interests connected therewith, although from the commencement of Manufacturing in 1810, to 1815, and perhaps to 1820, the difficulties with Great Britain had a visible effect upon the progress of the place. The stagnation of business incident to the war in the section of country 
bordering upon the Merrimack, above Amoskeag, had a decided effect upon the business of this place, as aside from farming, most of the people were directly or indirectly connected with the navigation of the river, or with the manufacture of lumber. But in a few years after peace was proclaimed, business again revived, and at length, the renewal of the manufacturing interest at Amoskeag in 1825, and its subsequent continuous increase, has produced a thrift in the place, at once surprising and unparallelled. After Judge Blodget's decease, his heirs, under the direction of his grandson, Thomas Stickney, Esq., attempted to finish the canal, and to carry out his plans of improvement. To further this end the grant of a lottery was obtained from the Legislature, as has been already named Mr. Stickney proposed to commence manufacturing of some kind, and for this purpose built or completed a short canal, leading from the river below the main falls into the old and disused canal. At the foot of this Canal, and directly across the old canal, he fitted up a building, two stories in height and 42 feet in length by 18 feet in width for a mill. But the project failed, and it is not known what sort of manufacture was proposed to be prosecuted in the mill. The building was moved to the east side of the canal and is still standing. At length, after attempting to save a portion of Judge Blodget's estate, which was left much involved, Mr. Stickney became embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs, and returned to Boston, and the estate passed into other hands. Mr. Stickney is remembered as a gentleman of courteous manners, of sanguine temperament and of great energy, and it is probable that at some other more appropriate time, he might have secured a fortune out of his grandfathers estate. But the war of 1812 ruined his prospects.
At the annual meeting in Manchester, March 12, 1811, it was
"Voted to petition the Legislature to have leave to send a Representative.."
"Voted John Stark, Jr., Isaac Huse and Capt. Dwinell, be said Committee."
The petition was presented, but without success.
At the Presidential election holden Nov. 12., 1812 the for Electors in Manchester was thus:
| John Langdon, |
59 |
John Goddard, |
42 |
| Timothy Walker, |
59 |
Oliver Peabody, |
42 |
| Richard Dame, |
59 |
Nathan Taylor, |
42 |
| Jedediah K. Smith, |
59 |
Timothy Farrar, |
42 |
| Benjamin Pierce, |
59 |
Benjamin West, |
42 |
| Amasa Allen, |
59 |
Samuel Hale, |
42 |
| Nahum Parker, |
59 |
Caleb Eillis, |
42 |
| Abel Merrill, |
59 |
Jonathan Franklin, |
42 |
The ticket receiving the least number of votes in Manchester was successful in the State, and its electoral vote was thrown in opposition to Mr. Madison, who as again successful.
But very few soldiers enlisted into the service during the war of 1812 aside from those who volunteered to furnish the quotas required from the town. Of these were Nathaniel Merrill, Roger Stevens, James Saunders, Joseph Davis, Archibald Gamble, John Babson, and William and David Hardy. David Hardy, died at Plattsburg, January 21, 1814.
During the war of 1812, party spirit raged with violence, and nowhere in a greater degree than in New Hampshire. The people of this day can have no idea of the acrimony that existed. Many men of both political parties, seem to have been in a perfect phrenzy. This state of things often produced results anything but honorable to the actors or to the state. Collisions betwixt the citizens and the soldiers were frequent, and it must be confessed, that while the latter were often outrageously ill-treated, they in turn often transgressed the bounds of law and propriety. An affair took place in this neighborhood betwixt certain citizens and soldiers, that produced the greatest excitement, and in which the soldiers were clearly in the wrong. A worthless fellow by the name of Thompson, had been arrested on a demand of some forty dollars, and after applying to various individuals in this neighborhood to become bail for him without success, William Riddle, Esq., upon the express guarantee of the sheriff, Mr. William Hall, that no harm should come to him by so doing, became his bail. This was in February 1813, and in a few days an execution was issued from the court at Amherst for the demand. Meantime Thompson had gone to Concord, and enlisted in the volunteer regiment under Col. Aquila Davis, Lieut. Col. John Carter, commanding. This regiment used the "Carrigan house," near the north end of Main street in Concord, as their barracks. The execution was put into Mr. Hall's hands, and in company with Mr. Riddle, he went to Concord for Thompson. Thompson had seen enough of soldiers' life, and was quite willing to come away with the officer. Accordingly in the afternoon, Riddle rode up to the barracks, found Hall and Thompson upon the street, and they got into the sleigh, and came to Bedford. It being late, Thompson was put in the hands of Mr. James Griffin as keeper, the sheriff intending to take him to Amherst the next day. Late that night, Sergeant McCoy with a corporal and three men, came to Amoskeag Village, with orders to apprehend Thompson, and Messrs. Hall and Riddle. William Hall boarded with his brother, Robert Hall, Esq. The soldiers called at Hall's house, and upon being refused admission they broke in the door, and entered the house. They then proceeded to search the house, and conducted in an outrageous manner, sticking their bayonets into the beds, and cursing, swearing and behaving in so boisterous a manner, as to drive the women from the house for protection. They at length found William Hall, arrested him, and then went to Piscataquog Village, in search of Thompson and Riddle. Mr. Riddle slept at his store and McCoy knocked at the door and requested him to get up. Riddle getting up, asked, "Who's there;" upon which McCoy replied "a friend"; but Hall made answer, "soldiers from Concord." Upon this they seized Hall and commenced beating him. Riddle then opened the door and they left Hall and went into the store and arrested him. The next morning, Hall and Riddle went to Concord in charge of the corporal and two of the soldiers, McCoy and the other soldier staying behind to find Thompson. At Concord, Riddle and Hall were taken to the guard-house and afterwards to the barracks, where after waiting a while, they were discharged,--but refused to leave unless satisfaction was given them. After awhile, Col. Carter finding he had been too hasty, promised to pay them $25 for their time and trouble, and let the matter drop. They acceded to his proposal and left.
At this time, some twenty or thirty of the leading citizens of Bedford arrived at Concord and excitement ran high. However, the matter had been adjusted and they returned home. Soon after, Robert Hall obtained a complaint against McCoy, and his men for breaking into his house. They were arrested upon the complaint, bound over, and for want of bail were committed to the jail at Hopkinton. A complaint was then made out by the District Attorney, against Messrs. Hall and Riddle, for "man stealing," returnable before Judge Walker, at Concord. Upon the return day, the respondents appeared, but Judge Walker refused to sit in the case, and they were discharged. Upon this, a complaint was made out against Col. Carter, for false imprisonment of Messrs. Hall and Riddle. His examination came off at Piscataquog, before John Stark, Jr., and Jonathan Gove, Esqrs., who ordered him to appear at the Court of Common Pleas, next to be holden at Hopkinton. Col. Carter gave the required bail, and here the matter ended; for the Col. was soon after ordered to the frontier, and the case was continued from Term to Term, until after peace was declared, when he paid Messrs. Hall and Riddle their costs, and the case was stricken from the docket. The other parties did not come off so well. Thompson who was the cause of all this trouble, escaped from his keeper Griffin, who had secreted him in his barn, intending to elude the officers of the army, and his bail; but after their return from Concord, Messrs. Hall and Riddle got track of him, and took him in Londonderry. He was carried to the jail in Amherst, where he lay until he was let out upon taking the poor debtors oath. McCoy and his party were kept in jail through the summer, and thus they were left behind by the troops upon their march to the frontier. At the Court in the fall, they were tried, and fined, and it is believed, that after remaining in jail a short time, they were discharged by the Court.
It may well be supposed that this affair caused the greatest excitement in the neighborhood, and in fact, all the interior of the State. The examinations at Piscataquog and Concord were attended by large numbers of the friends of parties, all under more or less of excitement. General Riddle informs me that his bill for the entertainment of his friends at Gale's tavern, for a day and a night, was one hundred dollars. Quite an item for those days of cheap fare and low charges. It was a question of military and civil predominance, and each party seems to have carried things to the greatest length, and officials put themselves greatly upon their dignity. At the court in Piscataquog, held by Messrs. Stark and Gove, Col. Carter, the respondent, appeared in full uniform, with his side arms. This was considered as improper by the Court, and they ordered the Constable, Mr. Joseph Patten, to see that Col. Carter laid aside his sword. Patten was a very stern man, with a loud, harsh voice, and his manner now well recollected, when without ceremony, he executed the order of court, by saying in his determined manner, "Col. Carter, take off your side arms!" The Colonel
complied, and the Court proceeded with the examination.
At an adjourned Meeting held in Manchester March 19, 1816, it was
"Voted to make up ten dollars per month to the draughted soldiers in 1814."
In 1815, the Legislature granted to this town the privilege of choosing a representative, and at the annual meeting, March 12, 1816, Isaac Huse, Esq. was chosen to represent the town in the Legislature, the first representative from the town apart from some district.
The Presidential election occurred on the 4th day of November 1816. The vote in Manchester was thus:
| Thomas Manning; |
61 |
John T. Gilman, |
17 |
| Benjamin Butler; |
61 |
Nathaniel A. Haven, |
17 |
| William Badger, |
61 |
Samuel Hale, |
17 |
| Amos Cogswell, |
61 |
Robert Means, |
17 |
| Richard H. Ayer, |
61 |
Thomas Bellows, |
17 |
| Jacob Tuttle, |
61 |
George B. Upham, |
17 |
| Thomas C. Drew, |
61 |
Benjamin J. Gilbert, |
17 |
| Dan Young, |
61 |
William Webster, |
17 |
The electoral vote of the state was thrown for J Monroe, the successful candidate.
In 1817, attempts were made to divide several of the school districts. They succeeded in dividing Nos. 1 and 3 voting that No. 1 be divided according "as said district do agree and that all those living below Joseph Moor's be a school district." A school house was located and built the same year in district No. 3, "at the intersection of the roads on the Plain west of Jonas Harvey's Mills."
The Presidential Election came off Nov. 6, 1820, and the balloting in Manchester was thus:
| William Plumer, |
25 |
Timothy Walker, |
1 |
| David Barker, |
26 |
William A. Kent, |
1 |
| William Fisk, |
25 |
George Hough, |
1 |
| Samuel Dinsmore, |
25 |
John West, |
1 |
| John Pendexter, |
25 |
Benjamin Gale, |
1 |
| Nathaniel Shannon, |
26 |
Levi Hutchins |
1 |
| Ezra Bartlett, |
25 |
William Stickney, |
1 |
| James Smith of Grantham, |
26 |
Isaac Hill,
Thomas Chandler,
Richard H. Ayer, |
1
1
1 |
The electoral vote of the State was cast for James Monroe, who was elected.
The population of the town in 1820 was 761, an increase in ten years of but 46 inhabitants.
On the 5th of April, 1821, this town was thrown into great excitement, by the news that one of its citizens, Daniel D. Farmer had committed the crime of murder in the adjoining town of Goffstown. It was charged that he had killed Mrs. Anna Ayer, of that town, at about 9 o'clock on the previous evening, by striking her upon the head. He was arrested and upon examination was committed to jail. At the Court in October at Amherst, he had his trial at which the charge against him was proved, and he was convicted and sentenced to suffer the extreme penalty of the law, which sentence was carried into effect on the 3d of January, following. It seems that this Mrs. Ayer was a worthless woman, who had falsely sworn she was enciente by Farmer. He called upon her to expostulate with her upon the falsity of the charge, and getting by her continued reiteration of the falsehood, in the heat of passion, he struck the unlucky blow that resulted in her death. After the injury inflicted upon her, no attempt was made to save her life. A physician was not called until the next day; and the doors and windows were left open, and the wind of a raw cold day was suffered to pass through the room, while the woman lay uncovered upon a bed and the wound completely exposed. In fact, an open window was within a foot or two of her head. People from, the neighborhood and the adjoining towns visited the house in crowds during the day, and were admitted to the room without hindrance; and on the day of examination, some two or three days after the affray, the head of the woman was exposed to all who wished to see the wound, and the doors and the windows of the room were left open at will. Yet with all this neglect and exposure, the woman lived some nine days, and there is hardly a doubt in the minds of many intelligent people conversant with the facts of the case, that had the woman had proper medical attendance, she might have recovered from the wound. It is needless to remark, that under such circumstances at the present day, the extreme penalty of the law would hardly be meted out to a person.
In May of this year, died at his residence in Manchester,
MAJOR GENERAL JOHN STARK.
The stirring events in the life of this gallant veteran, have been so fully narrated in the progress of this work, that little is to be said of him in this place. Gen. Stark was the third1 son of Archibald Stark, Esq., one of the early settlers of Derryfield. His father was a man of education, and imparted to his children such instruction, and such principles, at the fire-side, as few others upon the frontier, were able to confer upon their children. During Stark's boyhood, the remnants of the Pennacook
Indians were still in the Merrimack Valley, and made Amoskeag their annual rendezvous during the fishing season, and in fact in the earlier Indian wars, some of them were employed as soldiers by our government, and were enrolled with other soldiers. In this manner, young Stark, a hunter from position and necessity, became well acquainted with the habits of the Indians. This knowledge gave him a superiority over most of his brother soldiers in the war with the Indians and French that followed. However, this knowledge would have been to no great purpose, had it not been united in him with other qualities peculiarly befitting a soldier of those times. He was remarkable for the vigor and activity of the physical man, and hence for his capability in sustaining fatigue. Adding to these, quick perception, indomitable energy, and remarkable decision of character, he was the soldier for the times in which he lived, and in fact, such qualities are the elements of success at any and all times. His success as an officer in the noted Rangers of the Seven Years War, gave him a popularity among the people at large, and the soldiers in particular, that placed him in the front rank as a successful soldier, upon the breaking out of the Revolution. It was this popularity among the soldiers that gained his services to the country, for if his appointment or promotion had been left to the politicians of the day, it is doubtful from the way in which he was treated by them, whether he could have succeeded to any command. Once at the head of a regiment, and in service, the battle field told the story of his bravery. His brilliant achievements at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton and Bennington, have been related. It now remains alone to speak of his subsequent services in the Revolution, and of the close of his eventful life.
Early in 1778 he repaired to Albany and assumed the command of the Northern Department, and remained there until ordered to join Gen. Gates at Providence.
He passed the winter in New Hampshire, in urging forward Recruits and supplies, but in the spring joined Gen. Gates at Providence.
In November, by Gen. Washingtons orders, he joined him in New Jersey, and after a short time was sent by Washington to New England to make requisition for men and provisions.
In 1780 he was with Washington at Morristown and took part in the battle of Springfield. Soon after, he was ordered to New England, collected a body of militia, and marched them to West Point.
Gen. Stark was one of the Court Martial who decided the fate of "Major Andre," and reluctantly, though in obedience to his duty, and for his country's advantage, favored the sentence of death upon that brave, but unfortunate officer.
In 1781 he again took charge of the Northern Department. The country was overrun with robbers and tories but a weak and inefficient force, but his strict discipline and stern justice dealt out to spies and tories, soon brought things into better order. The capture of Lord Cornwallis brought the war to a close, but Gen. Stark was ordered to New Hampshire for men and supplies.
The most of 1782 he was afflicted with a rheumatic complaint, brought on by long exposure, and was not able to join his command.
In 1783, however, he joined Washington, and soon after aided, by his counsels, in allaying those feelings of disquiet excited by the treacherous Newberg Letters, among the officers and soldiers of the army. Upon News of peace, Stark bore the happy intelligence to New Hampshire, and forthwith retired to his farm at Derryfield, to enjoy that repose he so much needed.
But his active mind could not be at rest, and he engaged in all of those plans for the advantage of the town and State which were so necessary to be matured, and carried out by clear heads and strong nerves.
The unjust claim of the Masonian Proprietors to the lands betwixt a straight and a curve line, between the north east and north west corner bounds of the Masonian Grant, was first successfully opposed by him, and to his exertions, it was mainly owing, that the Legislature took the matter in hand, and established the claim of the State to the lands in question; thus quieting hundreds of small farmers in the possession of their lands, and in the end adding largely to the funds of the State.
He was ever found upon the side of his country, and when, in 1786, discontent had ripened into open rebellion, and the Legislature had been surrounded by armed malcontents, the veteran Stark stood ready for the occasion, and would have volunteered his services, had not the insurrection been repressed by the judicious councils and determined action of the gallant Sullivan, who was, at that time, most opportunely, at the head of our State government.
He refused all civil office that would take him from his home, but in his native town, he was ready to serve his townsmen in any capacity, where he could be of advantage, and that did not trespass too much upon his valuable time.
Thus living, not for himself alone, but for his country, the veteran Stark passed into the wane of life, ever taking, as long as life lasted, a lively interest in every incident in our country's history. At length, suffering from the effects of a paralytic shock at the extreme age of 93 years, 8 months and 22 days, the old hero departed this life on Wednesday, the 8th day of May, 1822.
The Friday following his death, his remains were interred with military honors, in a cemetry [sic] he had enclosed upon his own farm, a large concourse of people being in attendance, to witness the imposing ceremony, and to pay their last respects over the body of the man who had contributed so largely in filling "the measure of his country's glory."
The cemetery is situated upon a commanding bluff upon the east bank of the Merrimack, and over his remains his family have placed a plain shaft of granite, indicative alike of his simplicity and hardihood, upon which in inscribed "Maj. General Stark."
This simple stone points to his ashes alone, but his deeds are traced in deep-lined characters upon the pages of our country's history, while his memory is engraved upon the hearts of his countrymen.
Such a name needs no other monument.
In February 1823, was the first movement in this town in favor of building the famous "Mammoth Road." The project of having a more direct road from Concord to Lowell, had been some time before the public. A route from the Londonderry Turnpike, in Hooksett, through Manchester, Londonderry, Windham, Pelham and Dracut to Pawtuckt [sic] Bridge, had been surveyed, and found feasible, and much more direct. The proprietors of a line of stages, from Concord to Lowell, the people of those two places, and many people on the line of the proposed road, were making a powerful effort to have the road built. Their first aim was to have the road laid out by the several towns through which it was to pass. In Manchester and Londonderry, there was the most determined opposition to the road, as its construction would be attended with very expense to those towns, and at the same time accommodated few individuals in those towns.
This opposition was participated in, to a greater or less extent, through the entire length of the road. The contest at length waxed so warm, that this question of the Mammoth Road controlled the local elections,--and interfered with our system of Courts.
In Manchester, in the warrant for the annual meeting bearing date February 20, 1823, the 11th article was in reference to this road. As it describes the "Mammoth Road," and indicates the route of it through this town, it is subjoined;
"Whereas a road leading from Hooksett, leaving the L. Derry Turnpike, near to Jacob Farnum's, running through Manchester, Londonderry, and to Dracut Bridge, would greatly convene the public, this article is inserted to see if the town will lay out (where it is not already laid out,) their part of the said road, beginning or near Stark's bridge, so called, (meaning to meet that part of said road which belongs to the town of Hooksett to make) then southerly on the best round practicable to the highway near David Stevens house, thence by the meeting-house to Derry line, wherever it may be necessary to accomplish the object in view."
At the meeting March, 8, it was voted dismiss the article.
The proposed road passed the house of Ephraim Stevens, Jr. and he was much in favor of building it. Being a man of energy and influence he entered largely into the project, and succeeded in getting the selectmen to call a special town meeting; but although he could get petitioners, he failed in this instance to get voters to favor his views, for at the town meeting, held on the 8th of September, 1823,
"To consider the expediency of laying out and building th [sic] Mammoth Road, the question was put to the meeting as its expediency and there was
| In favor of it |
1 |
| Against it |
45" |
It is said that Capt. Stevens was the one who voted in favor of the road.
It was then
"Voted Joseph Moor be an agent for this town to join the committee chosen by the town of Londonderry, to oppose laying and opening a road through this town, Londonderry, &c in a direction from Hooksett to Pawtucket Bridge as it is the opinion of the peop!e [sic] of this town, that the public interest does not require said road to be laid out, and that the expenses of making the road, would greatly exceed the benefit to be derived from its being opened and that it would lay a burden upon the town, which they are unable to bear, therefore said agent is instructed to procure such counsel and make such defence against said road, as he shall think the interest of the town requires>"
Those favoring the road, now applied to the County Court as their only alternative, and with such success, as that the Agent saw but little hope of preventing the laying out of the road. Another special town meeting was held on the 6th of December, 1823, to "hear the report of their Agent, Mr. Joseph Moor."
And the 3d article in the warrant was,
"To see if the town will discharge him and choose another."
The whole subject was postponed to the annual meeting in March,--and then the subject was not called up.
At the Presidential election, holden Nov. 1st. 1824, the vote in Manchester was thus;
| Josiah Bartlett, |
31 |
| William Fisk, |
31 |
| Hall Burgin, |
31 |
| William Badger, |
31 |
| Samuel Quarles, |
31 |
| Caleb Keith, |
31 |
| Moses White, |
31 |
The above ticket was successful in the state, and its electoral vote was thrown for John Quincy Adams, who, there being no choice by the electoral colleges, was chosen President by the House of Representatives.
In 1826 the subject was much discussed of building a meeting house, and at a special meeting held May 2, of that year, it was
"Voted to build a meeting house," and Nathaniel Moor, Ephraim Stevens, Jr., and Israel Merrill were chosen "a committee to superintend the same." The meeting was then adjourned to July 4th, when it was
"Voted that a committee be appointed to locate the meeting house."
"Voted that the said committee be instructed to purchase pews in the old meeting house, and to see how much they can obtain by subscription for the purpose of building a new meeting house and that they report at the next meeting."
Nothing more appears upon the records, as to the new meeting house, and it is probable that the committee did nothing as to the matter.
In 1828, the subject of the Mammonth Road was again before the public, and in the warrant of July 5th, calling a meeting of the town, on the 26th of July, the 2d article was
"To see if the town will choose an agent to oppose the "Mammoth Road."
On the 26th instant, the meeting organized and adjourned to the 16th day of August. At the adjourned meeting, the action upon the 2d article of the warrant was thus recorded;
"Proceeded to take the sense of this meeting to know how many are in favor of said road, and four rose in favor and about seventy rose against it."
"Voted to choose an Agent to oppose the said road, who is to be subject to the control of the selectmen,"
And "Daniel Watts was chosen an Agent to oppose the said road."
The Presidential election in this state occurred on the 3d of Nov. 1828. In Manchester the vote for electors was thus;
| John Harvey, |
97 |
George Sullivan, |
67 |
| Benning M. Bean, |
97 |
Samuel Quarles, |
67 |
| William Pickering, |
97 |
Samuel Sparhawk, |
67 |
| Jesse Bowers, |
97 |
William Bixby, |
67 |
| Aaron Matson, |
97 |
Nahum Parker, |
67 |
| Jonathan Nye, |
97 |
Thomas Woolson |
67 |
| Stephen P. Webster, |
97 |
Ezra Bartlett, |
67 |
| Moses White, |
97 |
William Lovejoy, |
67 |
Of the above tickets, the one receiving the least number of votes in this town was successful in the state at large, electoral vote was thrown for John Quincy Adams, who was defeated, Andrew Jackson being chosen by the electorial [sic] colleges.
At an adjourned meeting, held March 14,1829, it was voted that the Prudential Committee in the several school districts chosen by the inhabitants of the districts. It was also voted, to divide the literary fund among the several districts, according to the proportion of the school money raised by the town. In this year a school house was built in District No. 7 (the Stark District,) at a cost of $215.49.
The friends of the Mammoth Road were successful, and at the session of the court in October 1830, the report of the committee was accepted, and the road, so far as it was within the limits of the County, was ordered to be built. The people of the town continued their opposition, to the Mammoth road and at a town meeting held January, 15, 1831, the article in the warrant "to see if the town will appoint a committee or Agent, to lay off into suitable lots or parcels, that part of the Mammoth Road within the limits of Manchester, to accommodate undertakers, & sell the making thereof at public auction, as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, or take some other method to accomplish the object in view," was postponed to the annual Meeting in March.
In this year the First Methodist Episcopal Society, had been organized in 1829, built a meeting-house, at Manchester Centre. It is located on the west side of the road, a few rods south of the old meeting-house.
In 1830, the population of Manchester was 887 showing an increase of 126 inhabitants in the last ten years.
At the annual meeting, March, 8, 1831, it was voted that the Selectmen petition the Court to discontinue the Mammoth Road, "and if failing to accomplish this, to make an extension of time & liberty to alter the road as the interests of the town may require & the public good admit." This vote was evidently dictated by a policy of procrastination; for after the decided action of the Court, there could have been no reasonable expectation that they would grant a prayer for its discontinuance. However the Selectmen presented their petition, the Court continued the matter from time to time, for consideration. Meantime, March, 13, 1832, the town without waiting the decision of the Court, "voted to discontinue the Mammoth Road, or that part described in a petition signed by the Selectmen, or any part the Court may allow." The Court notwithstanding, decided adversely to the petition of the Selectmen, leaving the road to be built and to be built as originally laid out.
The Presidential election was on the 5th of November, of in this year, in this state. The vote in Manchester stood thus;
| Benjamin Pierce, |
107 |
Langley Boardman, |
36 |
| Phinehas Parkhurst, |
107 |
Enoch Place, |
37 |
| Samuel Collins, |
107 |
Joshua Darling, |
37 |
| John Holbrook, |
107 |
Edmund Parker, |
37 |
| John Taylor, |
107 |
Thomas Bellows |
37 |
| Joseph Weeks, |
107 |
George B. Upham, |
37 |
| Moses White, |
107 |
John French, |
37 |
The ticket headed by Benjamin Pierce was elected in the state at large, and its electoral vote was thrown for Andrew Jackson, the successful candidate for the Presidency.
On the 17th of August 1833, a meeting of the town was held, to see if the town would vote to build the Mammoth Road and raise money to pay for the same; and the whole subject was indefinitely postponed.
But at the October term of the Court, summary process was ordered by the same against the town in case of farther neglect to comply with the order of the Court. This was necessary, as most of the road was already built, and the neglect of this town was becoming a great inconvenience. Accordingly, there being no farther chance of delay, March 11, 1834, the town
Voted, to raise seven hundred and fifty dollars to be laid out on the Mammoth Road, and chose George Clark Agent to lay out the same."
They also
"Voted, that the Selectmen borrow two hundred and fifty dollars if necessary, to be laid out as aforesaid."
Upon this, the building of the road was commenced in earnest.
In the spring of 1834 the small-pox again made its appearance in town and produced considerable excitement among the inhabitants. A town meeting was held upon the subject, April 28 1834, at which it was
"Voted that the Selectmen proceed to stop the spreading of the small-pox, or take such measures as they think proper to prevent it, as soon as possible."
The cases of the disease were in a family living in the brick house now owned by Mr. John Huse. Vaccination was recommended to the people of the town, and no other cases occurred.
At the annual meeting in March, 1836, it was
"Voted to authorize the Selectmen to contract with some person to take down the old meeting house and convert it into a suitable building for a town house," and the sum of $500, was raised for that purpose.
Th Selectmen, instead of taking down the meeting house, expended the appropriation in altering and repairing the house. It was divided into two stories by putting in a ceiling and floor; and the outside was thoroughly repaired. 
The upper story was intended for a school room, and the lower story was finished for a town Hall. Thus repaired, it presented a very respectable appearance, as seen in the annexed cut.
The Presidential election was Nov. 7, of this year, and the vote in this town was for
| Jonathan Harvey, |
82 |
Samuel Bell, |
1 |
| Isaac Waldron, |
82 |
Wm. A. Kent, |
1 |
| Tristam Shaw, |
82 |
John Wallace, Jr. |
1 |
| Stephen Gale, |
82 |
Samuel Grant, |
1 |
| Josiah Russell, |
82 |
Joseph Healey, |
1 |
| Gawen Gilmore, |
82 |
Jeremiah Wilson, |
1 |
| Ebenezer Carleton, |
82 |
Joseph Sawyer, |
1 |
The ticket headed by Jonathan Harvey was successful in the State, and its electoral vote was thrown for Martin Van Buren, who was elected President of the United States.
At this same meeting the subject of the Mammoth Road was before the town for the last time. The town had built the road, but a part of it had been built on a different route than the one laid out. This substitute commenced west of the McQueston house and extended "210 rods south to the old road." It was a more feasible route, and less expensive in construction than the original route as laid out by the committee. The Court became convinced of this, accepted the substitute and gave the town leave to discontinue that part of the Mammoth Road, for which a substitute had been built and accepted. At this meeting it was discontinued, and thus ended the controversy as to this road, which had been continued for sixteen years, to the no small injury of the towns engaged in it, and to the entire ruin of individuals. And all of this contention was of no possible good to the public, for in consequence of the building of the Concord Railroad, and of the Manufacturing city of Manchester, the road became deserted in a few years, and in many sections of it there is not travel enough to keep the grass from growing in it!
At the same meeting the subject of building a Hospital for the insane was acted upon by the town, the question as to building a Hospital having been sent to the towns by the Legislature. The vote stood in this town upon this subject,
The expense of building the Mammoth Road made the people fear an increase of taxes, even for such an object of charity and humanity.
March 14, 1837, the town authorized the Treasurer to receive its proportion of the surplus Revenue, and to loan it "at not less than 6 per cent." At the same meeting one hundred dollars was appropriated for painting the Town House, under the direction of the Selectmen.
A road had been laid out by a Committee from the Court, leading "from Amoskeag Bridge to Chester line." This is from Merrimack street, through Hallsville to "Daniel Hall's corner," and from thence to Chester (now Auburn,) past the Massabesic House, and known as the "Candia Road," The town was opposed to this road, and at a town meeting held October 27, 1837, it was "Voted to choose no Agent to build a road laid out by the Court, and to raise no money for building the same." However better counsel prevailed, and at a town meeting held November 18, 1837, it was voted to build the road, and Mr. Benjamin Mitchel was chosen Agent to build it. At the same meeting propositions to purchase a Town Farm, and "to finish the upper story of the Town Hall into a school room, or permit individuals to do it, and take pay in rent," were dismissed. At the annual town meeting March 13, 1838, an appropriation of $1300, was made to build the road from Chester line to Daniel Halls, and the Selectmen were authorized to consider the expediency of purchasing a Town Farm and to report at the annual town meeting for 1839.
The building of the road to Chester line, or the Candia Road, proved more expensive than anticipated, and at a town meeting held Dec. 13, 1838, the Selectmen were authorized to borrow $2300, to build said road.
The Selectmen made three additional Highway districts viz: Nos. 12, 13 and 14.
In 1838 died
MAJOR CALEB STARK.
Major Caleb Stark, the eldest son of General Stark, was born December 23, 1759. In the 16th year of his age, as a volunteer in the 1st N. H. regiment, he was present at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, and soon after an Ensign in the Company of Capt. George Reid. He served with the regiment in New York, and in Canada, and after the retreat from that Province, in 1775, he was appointed Adjutant, in which capacity he served at Trenton, and in the action of September, 19th and October, 7th, 1777. In the latter engagement he was wounded in the left arm. Soon after he became the Aid de Camp and Brigade Major of General Stark, under whose immediate command he continued to the end of the War. In 1781, in addition to his other duties, he performed those of Adjutant General of the Northern Department. Upon the close of the war, be engaged in merchandise at Haverhill, Mass, and Dunbarton, N. H., and afterwards at Boston, Mass. In the course of his commercial transactions, he visited the West Indies, and Great Britain. When the war of 1812, commenced, closed his business in Boston, and turned his attention to manufacturing at Pembroke, N. H. In 1830, he disposed of his establishment and proceeded to Ohio to prosecute the claims of his family to lands granted for military services in the Revolution; which after a tedious course of law suits, he recovered in 1837. He died in Ohio August 26, 1838. His remains repose in his family cemetery at Dunbarton, N. H. He possessed a strong memory, read much, and perseverance supplied the deficiencies of early education. Schooled in the stormy strife of the Revolution, he was well versed in the political and military history of his own country, and that of other nations. He was known through life as a man of energy and decision of character.
At the annual town meeting, March 12, 1839, the Selectmen made a report in favor of the purchase of a Town Farm, and a vote was carried to purchase one, and a committee, consisting of Moses Noyes, John Gamble and James McQueston, was chosen to make the purchase.
The sum of $1000 was appropriated "in part pay of town farm," and the committee was to give "town security" for the balance of the purchase money, and were instructed to purchase such farm as they should think for the interest of the town, "without reference to cost." At the same meeting it was
"Voted to district the town anew as regards School Districts" and the following committee was chosen to district the same, and report at the next annual meeting, viz:
No. 1 John Hall,
" 2 Jos. B. Hall,
" 3 Joseph Moor,
" 4 James McQueston,
" 5 John Proctor,
" 6 Thomas Cheney,
" 7 George Clark,
" 8 Peter Mitchel.
This committee never made any report.
In the course of the summer of 1839, there was a large increase of the inhabitants of the town, in consequence of the laying out and sale of lots by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in the preceding year. These lots were fast being improved, and Elm, Amherst, and Hanover streets during the summer of 1839, assumed the appearance an enterprising and thrifty village.
The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company had built the house for the Agent of the Stark Mills, on the corner of Hanover and Pine streets; the one for the Superintendent of the Stark Mills upon Hanover street, then occupied by Mr. Warren but now owned by Charles Richardson, Esq., and the "Manchester House," on the corner of Elm and Merrimack streets, now owned by William Shepherd, Esq.
The lot upon which the Manchester House was built was covered with a growth of pitch pines, in the spring of 1839, and Merrimack Square, just south of it, was covered with birches, pines, and alders. The pines were cut and the stumps removed by the roots, before digging the cellar, and putting in the foundation for the Manchester House, in May of 1839. Since Mr. Shepherd purchased the Manchester House, in 1845, he has enlarged and improved it so that it is now one of the largest, as it is one of the best hotels in the state.
The Hanover street church, Rev. Mr. Wallace's, built this year, is one of the most spacious churches in the city. It is of wood, after the Grecian style of architecture, 80 feet in length, by 64 in [sic feet?] width, and is one of the most beautiful public buildings in the state.
Footnotes
1On page 181 on the authority of other writers, it is stated that he was the second son; but subsequent investigation shows that his brothers William and Samuel were both older than he. Return
ALHN Hillsborough County
The cemetery is situated upon a commanding bluff upon the east bank of the Merrimack, and over his remains his family have placed a plain shaft of granite, indicative alike of his simplicity and hardihood, upon which in inscribed "Maj. General Stark."
The upper story was intended for a school room, and the lower story was finished for a town Hall. Thus repaired, it presented a very respectable appearance, as seen in the annexed cut.
Chapter 24