Lt. Moses Dickinson Field, Continental Army

On 8/2/1765, Moses bought of Ebenezer Killburn land and settled at No. 102, and this property was in the Field family for nearly 60 years thereafter. He signed the petition July 4, 1768 for the incorporation of Surry. Was selectman 1780, 1782, 1786; constable 1778; one of the original members of the Surry Church 6/12/1769; was Deacon 1798 to 1802.

Served in the Revolutionary War, in which service he was lieutenant, and is credited with having shot Col. Baum at the battle of Bennington.

Moses was son of Ensign Moses, Ebenezer, Sergeant Samuel, Zachariah who came to America in 1630 from Sowerby, England.

Info. from "The History of Surry" by Frank Burnside Kingsbury, published 1925 by the Town of Surry, New Hampshire. Married March 13, 1767, Surry, NH

One of the founders of Surry. Found on website, “Town of Surry, books on history of Surry, NH” Free download. Introduction

Aside from some historical data gathered by the late Francis F. Field no at- tempt had been made by any one, to the writer's knowledge, to arrange and put in legible form the events pertaining to this town, and the compiler of this History little realized in the beginning the labor, time and research necessary, for to attempt writing a comprehensive and reliable history of a town more than one hundred and sixty years after its first settlement is a difficult and laborious undertaking, comprehended only by those who have accomplished such a task. Chiefly among the sources of information have been the old Proprietors, town and church records; Cheshire County Register of Deeds; file of New Hampshire Sentinel; Rev. Perley Howe's private records; Mr. F. F. Field's data; local town histories and numerous traditions. The reader naturally desires to learn of early conditions; charter and in- corporation, when and from where came the first settlers and sites of their log cabins. Would that we might portray a clear and true picture of early Surry; the land, the pioneers and their rude cabins—we fail! It is now im- possible! In 1730 this part of New England was a vast wilderness through which prowled the lynx and wild-cat, the howl of the wolf echoed over the hills, the bear came forth from his cavern den in search of food, while the deer leaped from danger to safety. Song of birds filled the air, flocks of pigeons dwelt in the trees, whistle of hawk and hoot of owl were daily heard, wild turkeys roamed the woods,and the beaver labored to build his hut. Giantelm,sturdy oak, great maple and monarch pine, which had never felt the woodman's axe, covered the land. Towering over and above all was majestic mountain, granite bear-den, pinnacle and conical, bald hill, with other highlands to the north and west. Up the river in search of fish and game came the red-men marking their own path. When weary of travel they camped on the brow of the hill at Whoppanock. Then came the white-men, who, taking the natural course, fol- lowed the old Indian trail. In 1732 the first settlement was made in Winches- ter, the next year at Swanzey, Keene in 1734; in the Connecticut river valley Westmoreland followed in 1741, and after eight years more Walpole in 1749. After the termination of the French and Indian war in 1760 new settlers began arriving to take up the land; within two years they had entered the territory of Gilsum and Alstead. The fertile Ashuelot valley, then a part of Westmoreland and Gilsum,was entered. Within a few years citizens banded together, a new town was carved out, and on Max'ch 9, 1769, incorporated as Surry. On June 8, 1753, Peter Hayward, then of Woodstock, Conn., bought five tracts of land in Keene. Subsequently he purchased additional land, all of which lay in Keene adjoining Surry line. In 1762, he was living in that part of Westmoreland, now Surry, but documentary evidence, thus fai', has not been found to substantiate the tradition that he was the first settler on Surry soil; it is with keen regret that the compiler of this work, after much time and research, feels obliged to make the above statement. There still remain Colonial records which when examined may reveal the true conditions, for it is probable that the doughty, honest, intrepid, old Peter was "the pioneer settler." Tradition says he built his first log cabin east oft he highway about 20 rods north of the present Samuel L. Newton dwelling, which is known to have been erected by Peter about 1764. William Hayward, Jr., Peter's brother, came about 1762 and settled where Frank E. Ellis now resides. John Johnson, whose wife was a sister of the Hayward brothers, came from Woodstock, Conn., prior to 1762, and probably settled on the late Edmund Woodward fai'm. In the spring of 1764 Mr. John- son sold his farm to Jonathan Parkhurst and removed to Winchester. Jan. 26, 1762, William Barron bought an 104 acre tract of land of John Johnson and doubtless settled near where now stands the J. N. Keller cottage, formerly the Jonathan R. Field place. Benjamin Whitney was another early settler, and Charles Rice appears to have settled during the summer of 1760 near where Merrill D. Carpenter now lives, while Woolston Brockway came to the George A. Hall place about 1761. Owing to the destruction of both the Proprietors' records and the Lot and Range table of Westmoreland we are especially handicapped in locating where the pioneers settled in the south part of Surry. In the north part, we are more fortunate, as there still exists a copy of the old Lot and Range maps of Gilsum. The genealogical register has required months of work, travel, and an ex- tensive correspondence; conflicting names and dates have frequently appeared but it has been the constant aim of the author to have as few errors as pos- sible. The map and chapter on present and former residences will be appreciated by many and we trust add to the value of this history. The author desires to thank all who have assisted in this work and es- pecially the Town History Committee, Hollis W. Harvey, Clarence H. French, George Henry Joslin, Mrs. James E. Harvey, J. V. Stillings and Mrs. J. V. Stillings. FRANK B. KINGSBURY.

NAME AND INCORPORATION Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, was incorporated on Thursday, March 9, 1769, deriving its name from Surrey, a county in the southern part of England, from which, it is understood, the ancestors of many of the early settlers of Surry emigrated during the first half of the seventeenth century. March 19, 1771, the county was incorporated and named Cheshire, deriving its name from a county in the western part of England, celebrated for the manufacture of cheese. The county was divided near its middle July 5, 1827, the northern portion being given the name of Sullivan. New Hampshire, one of the thirteen original states, received its name about 1630, from the county of Hampshire in England, the home of its first grantees.

SITUATION AND BOUNDARY The town of Surry is situated in latitude 43° 1' N., and longitude 72° 20' W. It is bounded on the north by Walpole and Alstead, east by Gilsum, south by Keene, and west by Westmoreland and Walpole. It is 6.7 miles from Keene, and 52 miles southwest from Concord.

WILD ANIMALS The early settlers found wild animals in plenty. Especially numerous and of great annoyance were the black bears. Wolves were often seen in early days, also lynx and wild cat, deer and moose, raccoon and foxes, as well as muskrat. Beavers, mink and otter were occasionally found, Surry, like other towns in this vicinity, had its "experiences" with Bruin, and several "bear stories" have come down to us. Frequently feeling the pangs of hunger or the desire for a meal of fresh pork, bears would enter a farm yard and attack the pig-sty, and attempt to carry off its occupant. In three instances, at least. Bruin was unsuccessful, and in two instances it was the bear that paid the "extreme penalty.” MOSES D. FIELD, HUNTER OF BEARS Moses D. Field was quite a hunter and killed several bears. A very large fat bear was discovered one day, and he and others followed its tracks on the mountain and in the meadow. Several shots were fired, none of which ap- peared to take effect, but finally in trying to climb the steep bank east of Mr. Field's house (about 40 rods north of the old toll-gate) the beast fell, Mrs. Field coming with more bullets she had run, another charge finished the killing, and the bear was rolled down the hill to the meadow.

MRS. HILLS' TALES OF WOLVES (Cousin of Delilah Thompson?) Some of the most authentic tales of conditions as they existed in town be- fore 1800 have come from the lips of Mrs. Lucy (Thompson) Hills, who was born about 1766, and was a daughter of John Thompson who lived on the farm of the late Charles W. Reed. The dwelling house at that time was standing in the field some rods east of the present barns on this farm, and was just over the line in the town of Alstead. In her old age she took much delight in relating some of the incidents of her childhood to the younger generation, and the younger generation have passed those same stories down to us. It was never safe at that time for one to travel at night without taking a fire brand along to keep off" the bears and wolves; both were plentiful and numerous, and a source of much annoyance and danger. The adjacent hills provided a safe retreat for all wild animals. One day a cow came running and bellowing to the Thompson house with a bear clinging to her back; the women came out and drove the brute off. When a child, Mrs, Hills went one day to a neighbors (where Leon A. Hodgkins now lives), and, upon returning home at dusk, heard steps in the path; on looking back, she discovered a wolf close at her heels. She began at once jumping up and down, flapping her skirt and screaming at the top of her voice; all this caused the creature to withdraw a little, and she repeated it every few rods until reaching home with the wolf at her heels, she burst open the door and fell in a faint across its sill. On another occasion she and her sister were berrying on the hill northeast oft he house when she saw fresh heart racks. Her desire for the berries being greater than her fear of a bear, she continued filling her pail, and, after re- turning home without meeting his bearship, she told her sister what she had seen, and the sister was greatly frightened.

BIRDS The migration of flocks of wild geese, going north in spring and south in the fall, is occasionally seen at the present time, but their number has dimin- ished yearly. It is not known that they made this town their home during the summer. The wild turkey was a valuable bird, and once lived in this vicinity. They were usually found where they could feed upon nuts, the south side of a hill being their haunt in winter. They have been extinct for fully seventy-five years. Wild pigeons were once numerous. In the spring they came north in great flocks, and during the summer were found in dense forests more generally than elsewhere. Late in summer they would again congregate, and return south. As late as 1840 great flocks would be heard in flight several seconds before they could be seen. Now, so far as known, not one remains in the United States. Early settlers of this town killed great numbers of them for food; during the fall of 1816—the cold year—they were of special value owing to the almost total failure of crops. Partridges have been hunted for years, and, although never very plentiful, their numbers do not seem to decrease. Other birds once found here were the eagle, hawk, cat owl, lark, blackbird, wren, robin, cat-bird, martin, bobolink, king bird, song sparrow, swallow, whip-poor-will, and several others.

FISH, Nearly all our streams formerly abounded with the fish common to the waters of this vicinity, but, owing to dry seasons and other reasons, few of the finny tribe now remain. The varieties found were the brook trout, pick- erel,perch,shiner,sucker,minnow and cat-fish or hornedpout. The common eel was once quite plentiful in the river.

Early encounters with the Native Americans Early in the spring of 1755 the Indians again began their ravages in this valley, “So free from these raids had the country been for several years that people had pushed out into the wilderness and taken up lands beyond the protection of the forts. These advanced settlers, some of them miles away from any fort or neighbors, wtei'e now in great peril." Several families in this vicinity among them Mr. Peter Hayward an early settler of what is now Surry, and Ebenezer Day his neighbor, hastened to the fort in Keene. On the 30th of June following, an attack was again made on the fort at

• Takeii from Keene History—1904. The small stony brook where the Indian took a drink was on the farm of Harry F. Knight's about 40 rods east of his buildings where a spring of good water comes out of the bank and flows down to the river. This farm is on the east side of Surry west road, about 125 rods north of Four Corners in Keene, formerly owned by Henry Ellis, Samuel P. and Calvin H. Ellis. —Longfellow.

Keene; the savages were beaten off, but in their retreat they killed many cattle, burned several buildings and captured Benjamin Twitchell. In the meadows, west and noi'th of Deacon Wilder's (later the Sun Tavern), the Indians killed several oxen, a horse and colt—the latter was cut up and the best pieces of meat carried off. Mr. Twitchell was conducted up the river and probably spent his first night in captivity lashed to four stakes driven in the ground on the meadow in the south part of Surry, on the farm formerly owned by Edmund Woodward. In due course of time Mr. Twitchell was ran- somed, later being put on board a vessel for Boston. He was taken sick, set on shore and died in a few days. "Peter Hayward was well known to the Indians as a dangerous foe. In later times of quiet, a friendly Indian said that he lay at one time concealed in the bushes where he saw Mr, Hayward and his dog pass by on a log. He aimed his gun first at one and then at the other, but dared not fire, knowing that if he killed either the other would certainly kill him. It is remembered, that, after the Revolutionary war, an Indian was lurking around for some time, and made inquiries for Col. Smith, and it was understood at the time that Col. Smith killed him, as his only means of saving his own life." —Gilsum History.

This Col. Smith was none other than Col. Jonathan Smith, Jr., who lived for many years on the farm where George Crehore settled in 1827, now (No. 24) owned by Merrill D. Carpenter. More than sixty years ago Mr. Crehore related an incident, which doubtless refers to the above Indian, approximately as follows

Soon after the Revolutionary war an Indian was discovered concealed under the bridge at the foot of the hill south of where Edward H. Jos- lin now (1920) lives. It was understood he came from a tribe in New York state to avenge some deed that has not come down to us. One evening soon after an Indian—supposed to be the same man—appeared at Col. Smith's and opening the barn door fired a shot at the owner, but missed his mark. Knowing his life was in danger the colonel immediately set a watch and shot the red-skin, and buried his body near the bank of Smith brook, a few rods north of the present buildings, (No. 24 map). Mr. Crehore in tearing his barn down to rebuild in 1854 (?) discovered a lead bullet imbedded in one of the rafters in the old barn. It was generally thought at the time, to have been a ball shot by the Indian.

Another tradition states that not many years after Capt. Thomas Harvey settled on his farm (No. 177 map), his daughters in going to the barn early one morning discovered three or four Indians just leaving, having spent the night in the hay-loft. They were, however, peaceable and caused no trouble.

• In October 1854, Amherst Hayward of Gilsum collected and placed in a small book some data concerning his grandfather, Peter Hayward of Surry, a portion of which reads as follows:
• This "small book" is now the property of Mrs. Caroline E. (Hayward) Smith, th& wife of John A. Smith of Gilsum and a grand-daughter of Amherst Hayward, and came into the hands of the compiler of this work after the mss. had been written.

"Peter Hayward (my grandfather) was the first man that began a settlement in that town (Surry). This was soon after the close of the Fiench and Indian War and before the Indians had done coming from Canada to plunder, kill and burn the defenceless settlers of New Eng- land in consequence of this, the families of Keene and vicinity had re- peatedly to fly to the fort in that town for protection from these cruel savages. Thus we find this family though five miles off were hurried there in the year 1755 by an alarm of Indians in the neighborhood who passed through Keene and killed one woman near the gate of fort. Peter Hayward was with a company of men hunting them as they passed into Swanzey, but the Indians escaped by them in the woods and took one man prisoner in Keene and carried him to Canada." A more full account of Peter Hayward and Ebenezer Day's (his neighbor) escape to the fort is in the history of Keene.

Jonathan Smith, Patience Smith;s father (who married Moses Dickinson Field), was on the early committee to plan for the town of Surry. “Sd proprietors think they have a Right to have and make their Return of the Same. Thomas Pitkins, Jr. Peter Olcott and Jonathan Smith were chosen said committee. Obadiah Willcox Prs Clk. The ninth Proprietors meeting was held at Jonathan Smith's house: Oct. 31, 1764, Josiah Kilburn, Moderator; Joseph Spensor, Obadiah Willcox and Job Gleason Assessors; "chose Josiah Killburn, Joshua fuler and Eliphalet Dart a committee to Receive and adjust accompts with those that Do the worke on the Highways in Sd Town." The building of roads in town was taken up for the first time this year; some work, however, must have been done on the roads during 1763, as noted in Art. 7, at the March meeting, of this year.”

The Dort Road On June 1, 1765 the Proprietors laid out a road on the meadow which be- gan "at contry rode between Mr. (Joshua) Fuller's and Mr. (Job) Gleson's." This ran part of the way on the River bank, but probably this road was not built as there was one laid out the next year running in nearly the same place, thus: November 10, 1766; Highway laid out beginning at highway that leads thru the west part of Gilsum, at North side of Joshua Fuller's land, and running East on said Fuller's land to Obadiah Willcox's land; run- ning North on said Willcox's to Eliphalet Dort's land; running North on said Dort's land to Ichabod Smith's land; running North on said Smith's land to River bank; turning North-West on Samuel Hall's land, formerly Joseph Spencer's, to Moses Dickinson Field's; turning West and running by said Field's land to first mentioned highway. This road was to be two rods wide

Revolutionary War History with our Ancestors The ninth company, under Col. Moses Nichols of Amherst marched from New Hampshire July 22, 1777 and joined the Continental army at Saratoga. This company was in the battle of Bennington, Aug. 16th, and three of its members were killed, one of whom was Joshua Fuller, Jr. of Surry. Surry men in that company were: Moses D. Field, 2nd Lieut. Samuel Fuller, Sergt. Asa Wilcox, Sr., Corpl. Nathan Hayward, Corpl. Job Gleason, Private. Samuel Hall, Private. John Redding, Private. Jonathan Smith, Jr., Private. (Moses D. Field’s brother-in-law)

FIELD. Moses D., b. 1742; d. 1828 in Surry. He was on the "Com- mittee of Safety" in Surry in 1777; enl. July 4, 1777; dis. July 9, 1777 in Capt. Elisha Mack's Co., Col. Samuel Ashley's Reg. for the alarm at Ti. enl. again July 22, 1777 in the Ninth Co., as 2nd Lieut, under Col. Moses Nichols of Amherst and which joined the Contl. army at Saratoga. This Co. was in the battle of Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777; dis. Sept. 27, 1777. During this service he was in Gen. John Stark's Brigade. Aug. 31, 1780 the town voted to pay Moses D. Field £2:05:0, "for services at Bennington." His name is in a list of officers in Col. Moses Nichols Reg. Gen. John Stark's Brigade as a lieutenant—July 18, 1777 to Sept. 27, 1777.

HAYWARD.* Peter, b. 1725; d. 1791 in Surry. Peter Hawood (Hay- ward) was in Capt. Josiah Willard, Jr.'s Co. at Ashuelott (now Keene) in the old French and Indian war—Keene History, pages 80-81, and Massachu- setts archives. Enl. July 4, 1777; dis. July 10, 1777 in Capt. Elisha Mack's Co., Col. Samuel Ashley's Reg. which marched to the relief of Ti. By a vote of the town, in 1777 he with others was chosen on a committee to assist in raising men to go into the service, etc. It is said that Peter Hayward was at BunkerHill,wearing a leather apron and taking his dog with him. See Gil- sum Historji, p. 39.

SMITH. Jonathan, Sr., b. 1715; d. in Surry 1786; a very early settler; he and three of his sons signed the petition July 4, 1768 fpr the incorporation of Surry, where he lived until death. Although more than 61 years of age, his zeal and patriotism overcame his age during the urgent call for men to reinforce the Contl. army at Ticonderoga and he enl. as a private June 28, 1777; dis. July 10, 1777, in Capt. Elisha Mack's Co., Col. Samuel Ashley's Reg. His four sons, Jonathan, Jr., Ichabod, Thomas and Samuel were in the service from Surry, also four of his sons-in-law, Abner Skinner, Moses D. Field, Abia Crane and Nathan Hayward. The small Continental army that had been stationed near Lake Champlain abandoned their stores and fortresses early in July 1777 and retreated to Fort Edwards, by way of Hubbardton and Castleton,Vt. A tHubbardton the New Hampshire boys were overtaken by the enemy in large numbers and lost heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners. § Soon after several Surry men entered the 9th company in Col. Moses Nich- ols' regiment which joined the Continental army at Saratoga, N. Y., July

• The Crown Point road was cut through the Vermont wilderness about 1758 by Gen. Jeffery Amherst and several hundred New Hampshire soldiers during the French and Indian war. Gen. Griffin gives a vivid account of this campaign in the History of Keene. “and these men with others from Surry were in the battle of Benning- ton. It is claimed that Nichols' regiment took a prominent part in that bat- tle, and Ensign Moses D. Field, a Surry soldier, shot Col. Baum.

The following was written by Phinehas Field of East Charlmont, Mass., to a local paper in September 1877: Mr. Editor:—In returning from Bennington celebration, I came by way of Surry, N. H., and there called on Jonathan R. Field, a grandson of Ensign Moses D. PMeld, who testified to the accuracy of those state- ments made by me as published in your paper of the 20th inst., and he related to me some additional incidents connected with that memorable battle in which Ensign Field was an actor. The 15th was a rainy day, and as he and Capt. Mack of Gilsum, N. H., were on a reconnaissance they came to a puddle in the road, where they parted to the right and left to avoid it, and just before they closed again, a bullet struck the water in the middle of the road. As they were passing on Ensign Field discovered an Indian crawling on the ground in the woods and not far from them, and appraised Capt. Mack and they both watched the In- dian until they saw him raise his head when both fired and the Indian fell. The day after the battle Ensign Field found where the Indian was buried, it was near the place where he was killed, and he dug down to the body hoping to find his musket but there was nothing buried with him. It was ascertained that he was a Sacham, and was shot through the breast. While the British were retreating Ensign Field followed on their flank in the woods, and seeing a soldier stoop to pick up something he had dropped, fired at him, and the soldier pitched forward and fell to the ground. This particular act was always spoken of as a cause of regret, and Jonathan R. Field said, "My grandfather never related the incidents of that battle without shedding tears." Ensign Field brought home an ornament of solid silver about the weight of a dollar; it was the representation of the Savior on the cross, and about three inches in length. This ornament and his grandfather's powder horn, marked with his initials, were stolen from Jonathan R. Field a few years since. Local tradition states that at the battle of Bennington, "Ensign Field had thirteen bullets, that he shot them all, and each one told." It is also stated the Americans broke ranks and each man took the best position he could during that battle. The late George K. Harvey remembered hearing Asa Wilcox, Sr., telling about the battle of Bennington "The Americans were behind a stone wall beyond which was an open field and woods. The Hessians in the field finally broke. Gen. Stark jumped on the stone wall and shouted: 'For God's sake boys, come on'; you could have heard him a mile." Mr. Wilcox would cry like a child when telling about that battle.

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE MILITIA We find no complete list of officers in this regiment after 1788. March 27, 1793, Samuel Smith, Esq. of Surry was appointed major of 20th Reg. Cyrus Field of Surry was. adjutant of the 20th Reg. N. H. Militia, 1824-25. From the town records the following Surry men appear to have been hon- ored with a "title," doubtless in most cases from service in the state militia: Capt. Thomas Harvey, 1778, probably for his service in Rev. war; Ensign Hiram Chapin, 1781; Capt. Lemuel Holmes, 1782; Capt. Jonathan Smith, Jr., 1782; Lieut. Moses D. Field, 1782; Lieut. Samuel Smith, 1783; Ensign Asa Wilcox; Capt. Samuel Smith, 1785; Lieut. Simon Baxter, 1787; Ensign Jona- than Reade, 1787; Lieut. Nathan Hayward, 1788; Maj. Benjamin Kimball, 1788; Capt. Jonathan Robinson, 1793; Lieut. John McCurdy, 1783; Capt. Simon Baxter, 1801; Capt. Nathan Estabrook, 1801; Capt. Calvin Hayward, 1802; Capt. Asa Wilcox, Jr., 1808; Capt. Charles Bond, 1809; Capt. Elijah Fuller, 1820.

Selectmen In most New England towns, the adult voting population gathered annually in a town meeting to act as the local legislature, approving budgets and laws. Day-to-day operations were originally left to individual oversight, but when towns became too large for individuals to handle such work loads, they would elect an executive board of, literally, select(ed) men to run things for them. These men had charge of the day-to-day operations; selectmen were important in legislating policies central to a community's police force, highway supervisors, pound keepers, field drivers, and other officials.

Peter Hayward: 1769, 1770, 1772, 1781, 1826, 1829, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1839, 1841, 1842, 1844. Moses D. Field: 1786, 1780, 1782

Representative to NH General Court Johnathan Smith Sr. 1780

Constable (deputy sheriff) Moses Field: 1778, 1793 Peter Hayward 1773 William Hayward 1772 Jonathan Smith 1776

OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The first thought of the pioneer, after providing a shelter for his family, was to provide a church and school. Scarcely seven months after Surry be- came a town, at a meeting held Oct. 4, 1769, it was voted "to build a house to hold all public meetings in, and also to keep school in; to build it 22 ft. long, 18 ft. wide, and to place it on the east side of the road opposite the burying yard bars." This building probably stood 2 or 3 or 4 rods north of where Mrs. Hattie R. Emmons' house now stands (1919). In 1770, Dec. 13, a town meeting was held at the house of Joshua Darte, and, among other things it was voted "to build a MEETING HOUSE 45 ft. in length, 35 in breadth with 20 ft. posts; to raise the house, cover it and lay the under floors; and glaze —as much as half a box of glass would do; to pay one half in good specie at money price, and labor when called for by the committee. Voted to set the house by the upper burying place as near the bars as the land will permit; to raise 120 pounds to defray charges of building, and Thomas Harvey, Peter Hayward and Jonathan Smith should be the committee to build said house.”

From which era nothing very material appears to have been transacted (except that Mr. Darling upon making proper satisfaction was restored to the charity and communion of the church), until the 20th of January 1788, when the church covenant being mislaid and not to be found the church solemnly renewed and published the following covenant: •
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having heretofore been incorporated in a church state according to the order of the Gospel, but having by some means lost the covenant by us sub- scribed; do now in a public and solemn manner renew and ratify the following Covenant with God and each other. 1. We publickly and solemnly declare our serious belief of the Chris- tian Religion, as contained in the sacred Scriptures; which scriptures we take to be our only rule of faith & practice & heartily resolve to con- form ourselves thereunto so long as we live in this world. 2. We give up ourselves to the LORD JEHOVAH, who is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and avouch Him this day to be our God and Father, our Saviour and leader, and receive him as our por- tion forever. 3. We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus who is the Lord Jehovah, adhere to him as the Head of his people in the covenant of Grace, and rely on Him as our Prophet, Priest and King, to bring us unto eternal blessedness. 4. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensible obligations to glorify God in all the duties of a godly, sober and religious life. We solemnly promise that we will particularly uphold the worship of God in public, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some has been; that we will attend on the ordinances of Baptism, bring our children thereunto, waiting for Christ's blessing upon them, and will endeavor to bring them up in the nurture and ad- monition of the Lord. We also engage to attend constantly on the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, eat and drink discerning the Lord's body.

We likewise promise to attend carefully on public prayers, preaching of the Word and on every part of Divine service, and that we will per- severe therein. We also engage to watch over one another as the Gospel directs, and in our places to assist in upholding that discipline which Christ has set us in His Church, and to submit ourselves thereunto together with our children. We seriously promise religiously to observe the Lord's Day to keep it holy. We, likewise, promise to maintain the worship of God in our families, to make our houses places of prayer, and we will endeavor to walk soberly, righteously and godly among ourselves, set good example before others, in a word, we will make it our care to live according to that Rule Christ has set us, to do to others as we would they should deal with us. For the fulfillment of this covenant and the performances of the solemn engagements we humbly depend on the aid of that "Grace which is held forth in the Gospel, and freely offered to all who cordially em- brace it by thankfully laying hold on God's covenant and choosing those things which please Him. At the same time, engaging to hold Communion with all our regular sister churches, to ask for their help whenever we stand in need of it, and lend them ours when properly desired. We also invite our christian neighbors and friends to join with us in this profession of faith, and these covenant engagements, that so this church may become beautiful, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners. We pray that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied to all the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all the kingdoms of this earth may become His kingdom, and the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen.

Patience Field Abigail Holmes Lydia Smith Sarah Bates Olive Hayward Surry, Jan. 17, 1788.

The above covenant was subscribed and publicly consented to in presence of us, Edward Goddard Aaron Hall Obadiah Willcox Lemuel Holmes William Barron Eliphalet Dart Ichabod Smith Moses D. Field Samuel Smith Nathan Hayward Timothy Dart Sylvanus Hayward Abner Skinner Nathaniel Dart

Some church minutes 1798. Apr. 12, Deacon Obediah Wilcox resigned because of age and Moses Dickinson Field chosen in his stead to be a deacon, also Treasurer. John Brockway admitted to the church. 1802. Apr. 15, Eli Dort chosen deacon in place of Moses D. Field resigned. Voted to relinquish the tax of Arethusa Smith and Polly Crandell. 1802. Sept. 5, Moses D. Field asks dismission to the church in Keene. Ac- tion was postponed. 1802. Oct. 6, 1803. Jan. 10, 1803. Jan. 24, Discussion of Moses D. Field's dismission. Refused to grant it. 1803. Apr. 11, The church and Moses D. Field come to a satisfactory agreement, and he is reinstated as a member of the church

Some of the baptism records in the church BAPTISMS IN THE OLD CHURCH IN SURRY 1769. Apr. 12, Chloe Spencer dau of Joseph, July 12, Gaylord Wilcox son of Obadiah, Esq. Elias Hayward, son of Peter. Sept, 28, Lucinda Dart, dau of Joshua & Deborah. 1771. July 23, Bethuel Barron, son of William. Salla Raves. Aug. 20, Sybil Hayward, dau of Peter. Sept. 22, Asahel, Lucy, Luna and Thomas, children of Thomas & Grace Harvey. 1772. Mar. 22, Pamelia Dart, dau of Joshua, Cynthia Dart, dau of Eliphalet and Lucinda Field, dau of Moses D. June 21, Eunice Dart, dau of Nathaniel. Aug. 30, Thankful Smith, dau of Thomas, Oct, 28, Sam- uel Smith, son of Samuel. Nov. 15, Jonathan Harvey, son of Thomas, 1773. Apr. 11, Bethia Barron, dau of William, Anna Still, dau of John and Deborah Dart, dau of Nathaniel, •
1782. Mar. 30, Sarah Field, dauof Moses D. and Patience. Oct, 3, Daniel Dart, son of Joshua & Deborah; Jonathan Smith, son of Samuel & Deborah. Jan. 22, Charles Rice and his sons, Reuben and Timothy. Nov. 3, Lydia Wilcox, dau of Obadiah; Ichabod Smith, son of Thomas; Erastus Benton, son of Abijah; Zenas Field, son of Moses D.; Justus 1804. May 13, Obed Dort, son of Eli & Joanna. Aug. 31, Patience, Amos, Esther, Rispah and Jerusha Field, children of Moses & Polly. EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL HISTORY, PROFESSIONAL, SCHOOLS, FRATERNITY. So far as known, not until after the incorporation of the town in 1769, was there any provision made for the education of the young who resided in this valley. The early settlers who came here were people of intelligence from Massachusetts and Connecticut, who personally attended to the education of their children, until the public schools were established. The town, however, at an early date recognized the necessity of the public school for the education of the children, for at a special town meeting held Oct. 4, 1769—in less than seven months after receiving the charter—the following business was trans- acted : "2nd Voted; To Buld a House Sufficient to hold all public meetings in, and for a Scoole House. 3rd Voted; To Buld Sd House on the East Side of the highway against the Buring yard Bars. 4th Chose John Marvin, Joshua Dai't and Peter Hayward a Committe to take the Care of the Building Sd House and provide metreals for the Same. 5th Voted; five pence upon the pound to Defray the Charges of Sd House. 6th Voted; to Buld Sd House 22 feet Long and 18 feet wide. Obadiah Willcox. Town Clark.”

In compliance with your request at our last annual meeting your In- specting Committee beg leave to make the following: Report of the schools in the several Districts in this town (1820), to wit: Reading and Spelling as often as time and opportunity permit, ap- pear to be the invariable practice of each Scholar through each of the several schools.

The School in the North District under the tuition of Mr. Hezekiah Newcomb consists of about 50 scholars from 5 to 20 years of age, of whom, 8 are studying Arithmetic. 3 Geography. 7 Grammar. 30 Penmanship. Alphabet, none.

Report 1821: The North school, under the instruction of J. Eawson, consists of nearly 70 scholars. 4 Grammarians, quite forward; 2 have made considerable proficiency. 12 in Arithmetic, and occasionally 20, several are considerable forward. 5 in Geography who are very forward. 40 in Writing, some of those considered writers, are occasionally at- tending to English Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, etc. Between 20 and 30 small scholars, some in reading and the spelling book, some small taught in words of a few letters.

TAVERNS AND HOTELS. The exact date when the first public house was opened in town has not been ascertained; however, there is little doubt but it was at Peter Hay- ward's who lived at No. 1. Jonathan Smith was called "an innholder" as early as 1773. He was succeeded by his son, Capt. Samuel Smith, prior to 1788. Lieut. John McCurdy opened a tavern in his house (No. 12) at the south part of the town not far from 1790. Between 1800 and 1848 the taverns did a thriving business in this town but upon completing of the Cheshire railroad from Keene to Bellows Falls and beyond, the old stage coach was doomed. There was some rivalry in those days between landlords to procure business; some held out special social qualities, others excellent board, while there were the temperance and non-temperance houses.

It is related that Thomas Redding on one occasion, in order to compete with a temperance neighbor, placed up the following sign: Why will you pass by—both hungry and dry, Good brandy and gin—please Sir, Walk in; Good oats and bedding—Your humble servant, Thomas Redding.

The following is a list of the taverns, hotels and stores in town who were licensed to "mix and sell" prior to 1906. Jan. 28, 1765, Peter Hayward was appointed tavern keeper at No. 1. Sept. 2, 1768, Wolston Brockway was appointed tavern keeper at No. 34. Jan. 13, 1773, Jonathan Smith, Sr. ; the Samuel Ball place in village. Oct. 10, 1786, Capt. Samuel Smith succeeded his father at above place.

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