TITLE: History of Dover 1803 - 07 SOURCE: "Notable Events in the History of Dover New Hampshire from the first Settlement in 1623 to 1865" By George Wadleigh, Dover, NH ©1913 pages 192-195 SUBMITTED: Transcribed by C Parziale 7/21/00 ***************************************************************************** DOVER 1803 March 7 - Vote for governor, John T. Gilman 86, John Langdon 114. The vote this year was the largest ever cast in the State, being 21317. Gilman received 12263, Langdon 9011, scattering 43. The town voted to adopt by-laws against swine running at large under a penalty of $3.30 for each offence, and also adopted an act of the General court in relation to the extinguishing of fires. Dec 17 - Notice is given of the organization of the Strafford Bank, the first established in town. Subscribers to the stock are notified by Wm. King Atkinson, President, that One hundred dollars on each share will become due on the fourth Tuesday of January, and that "one fourth part at least, and as much more as may be convenient, will be expected in gold and silver, and the residue in bills of the bank of Massachusetts." By an act of the Legislature this year the Proprietors of Piscataqua Bridge were authorized to raise $15,000 by lottery for the purpose of repairing the bridge. 10000 tickets were issued at $5 each. The bridge at that time, it was stated, had been erected by indiv- idual enterprise at an expense of nearly $70000, and had never netted three per cent interest. DOVER 1804 Feb 8 - A shock of an earthquake about 2 o'clock in the morning. Uncommon quanity of snow for the season. Feb 25 - William Hurd and John Jones, for passing counterfeit ten dollar bills of the New Hampshire Bank, were sentenced by the Supreme Judicial court, held in Dover, "to sit one hour in the pillory, pay a fine of $200 each, and costs of prosecution, and to stand committed until sentence be performed." March 13- Vote for Governor, John T. Gilman 86, John Langdon 160. Whole vote of the State, Gilman 12246, Langdon 12009, scattering 27. A committee of eleven, including the selectmen, was appointed to examine the several school districts and agree with the inhabitants how and where to build school houses. Aug. 27 - A committee was appointed to agree with some man or men to run out the town and make a plan of the same. Oct. 9 - A most violent and destructive storm occurred, occassioning the loss of many vessels and lives on the coast. The weather was so cold that farmers lost large quantities of potatoes by being frozen in the ground. The snow was greatly drifted and much of it re- mained by the side of fences until April 1805. Nov. 5 - Vote for Presidential electors in Dover this year, in favor of Thomas Jefferson 75, opposition 140. The state was carried by the Republicans. Whole vote 17452. Requisite for choice 8727. John Goddard, Levi Bartlett, Jonathan Steele, Robert Alcock, Timothy Walker, George Aldrich and William Tarlton were chosen by votes varying from 8995 to 9088. They cast the vote of the State for Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton, who were subsequently elected President and Vice President. DOVER 1805 March 12 - Vote for Governor, John T. Gilman 109, John Langdon 202. After a sharp contest, and with the largest vote ever cast in the State, the Republicans succeeded in unseating Gilman and electing Langdon Governor. The whole vote was 28443. Langdon received 16097, Gilman 12287, and there were 59 scattering. April 6 - The following notice appeared in the Dover Sun: "Important Discovery. -- A number of men digging up the earth, in this town, for the purpose of making an aqueduct through Mr. Daniel Waldron's land, discovered a vein of dark brown sand running from east to west, much impregnated with Quick-silver of the best qual- ity. Upon close inspection globules of this metal were found dispersed through this vein from the size of the smallest grain of sand to that of a duck shot - which leaves no room for doubt, but upon further attention, larger quantities may be discovered, and prove beneficial to the owner of the land. May 17 - The Dover Turnpike road from Dover to South Berwick was opened this year. In the Sun (the newspaper), of this date, John Wheeler, Treasurer, gives notice to stockholders that the Directors have ordered the fourth assessment to be paid, and Stephen Sawyer ad- vertises for "30 or 40 stout able bodied young men" to work on the road. July 4 - The day was noticed with "uncommon festivity." "Its early dawn was liberally saluted by Capt. Henderson's company of Artillreists, which performed the occasional evolutions with great spirit and precision." at 11 o'clock the company collected at Mr. Ela's tavern "where the parched throat was agreeably slacked with cool- ing punch." An elegant dinner was prepared in "Union Hall upon the hill opposite the great falls." DOVER 1806 March 4 - A new line of Stages for the accommodation and convenience of passengers who wish to travel between Boston and Portland, the upper road, was established at this time. It left Boston & Portland, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 6 o'clock A.M., met at Richardson's tavern in Durham the same evening, exchanged passengers, and returned next day. "Those persons who put their names down first for a passage, before the stage starts, will have the preference, and no more than nine passengers will be taken." Nathl. W. Ela, Dover, was one of the ten proprietors issuing the notice. March 11- Vote for Governor, John Langdon 199, John T. Gilman 1, Michael Read, Esq. 9. The federal party made but feeble opposition to the election of Langdon this year as is indicated by the vote of Dover. The whole vote was 20573, of which Langdon received 15277. Of the remainder Timothy Farrar had 1720, John T. Gilman 1553, Jeremiah Smith 902, Oliver Peabody 866, scattering 255. Voted, to give a premium of ten cents to any person killing a crow within the limits of the town the present year. Oct. 11 - The wife of Mr. Roberts of Dover, N.H. was lately delivered of three beautiful & perfect boys, each weighing 7 pounds: who with their prolific mother are all in perfect health. Nov. 1 - On Wednesday last, at the request of the church of Christ in Dover, an Ecclesiastical Council convened in that place for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Martin L. Herlbut, their Pastor elect. "Though the council were fully satisfied with the quality of the candidate, literary, moral & ministerial, though they approved the ardor and engagedness manifested by his friends in endeavoring to obtain his settlement with them: yet, such was the determined spirit of remonstrance that was presented, such the number of names affixed, and so solemn the protestations of its supporters, that it was their wish to have a settled minister among them, if they could be gratified in the man, that it was thought expedient by the coucil not to proceed to ordination, but to give those who professed themselves dissatisfied an opportunity to show the sincer- ity of their zeal in endeavoring to obtain a candidate. And we fevently pray that one may be obtained whom God will honor as an insturment of softening the prejudices that seem to exist, and enkindling the dying embers of social and religious affection in that respectable village whose present state in a social and rel- igious view, excites painful and anxious apprehensions in the breasts of all who are the friends of piety, peace & order! (Portsmouth Oracle, Nov. 15, 1806.)" DOVER 1807 March 10 - Vote for governor, John Langdon 180, no opposition. Vote of the State 16861, of which Langdon received 13912, scattering 2949. July 15 - Died Dr. Jacob Kittredge, aged 76 years -- an old and much esteemed physician. Aug. 19 - Mr. Watson, wile unloading a gundalo in the evening, accidentally fell overboard and was drowned. Oct. 8 -- A comet which attracted much attention was seen about this time. **************************************************************************** * * * * Notice: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.