William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

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[156] thousand four hundred and eight dollars and fifty-five cents ($30,408.55). A considerable amount was raised by private subscription which is not included in this amount.

The amount of money raised and expended by the town during the four years of the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and which was afterwards repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $213.00; in 1862, $1,301.60; in 1863, $2,264.04; in 1864, $2,093.75; in 1865, $1,900.00. Total amount in four years, $7,772.39.

We only know in general terms that the ladies of Somerset ‘did a great deal of work for the soldiers during the war.’

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Swanzey

Incorporated Oct. 30, 1667. Population in 1860, 1,430; in 1865, 1,335. Valuation in 1860, $743,335; in 1865, $755,680.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were John Earle, Allen Mason, Seth Brown; in 1863, Allen Mason, Seth Brown, Phillip Buffinton; in 1864, Allen Mason, Seth Brown, Samuel Boyd; in 1865, Allen Mason, Seth Brown, Elijah P. Chace.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was James Mason. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, and 1863, was Joseph F. Chace; in 1864, John A. Wood; in 1865, Joseph G. Luther.

1861. A citizens' meeting was held on the 4th of May, the day on which information was received that the President had made a call for seventy-five thousand troops for three years service. After discussion, the meeting voted to pay to each inhabitant of the town who would enlist under the call a gratuity of fifteen dollars, and to allow his wife one dollar, and each of his children under fourteen years of age fifty cents, a week, for three years, unless the soldier was sooner discharged; and the treasurer was to borrow the money to meet the expenditure. A legal town-meeting was held on the 5th of November, at which it was voted to pay State aid to the families of volunteers, as provided by the act in relation to that subject, passed at the extra session of the Legislature.

1862. A town-meeting was held on the 21st of July, at which the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one