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Incorporated March 6, 1762.
Population in 1860, 968; in 1865, 902.
Valuation in 1860, $444,496; in 1865, $484,893.
The selectmen in 1861 were
P. L. Cushman,
Samuel J. Lyons,
Imla K. Brown; in 1862,
P. L. Cushman,
Justin M. Slate,
Gaius J. Green; in 1863,
P. L. Cushman,
Justin M. Slate,
John F. Hale; in 1864,
John F. Hale,
Justin M. Slate,
Bryant S. Burrows; in 1865,
John F. Hale,
Hymen B. Butler,
Bryant S. Burrows.
The town-clerk and town-treasurer during all these years was
Silas N. Brooks.
1861. No legal town-meeting appears to have been held during this year, to act upon matters relating to the war.
1862. July 22d, A meeting was held, at which
Dr. William Dwight presented resolutions which were adopted.
The first expressed confidence in the
President, and fully indorsed his policy to suppress ‘the most atrocious rebellion of modern times;’ second, ‘that we lay upon the altar of our common country the lives of our sons and the treasure of our people, in defence of the
Constitution and the
Union;’ third, ‘that the exigencies of the hour call upon old and young, rich and poor alike, to rally round the old flag of our fathers.’
Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist to the credit of the town, to make up the eleven persons called for. The selectmen were authorized to borrow money sufficient to pay the bounty, provided that a guarantee fund be raised by subscription to indemnify the selectmen should the act be pronounced illegal.
The fund was raised at once, and a sufficient number of young men volunteered to fill the quota.
August 23d, Voted, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to nine-months volunteers.
The selectmen and treasurer were authorized to borrow the money and recruit the men. They were also directed to petition the Legislature to legalize the votes of the town in regard to borrowing money.
1863. July 23d, A meeting was held, to see if the town would appropriate and pay three hundred dollars to each of the sixteen men who had been drafted.
The town voted to ‘pass over the article.’
1864. April 16th, The town voted to appropriate six hundred
