THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, July 1, 2010
13
CHESTER AND THE BATTLE WITH THE DEMON RUM
Rerpinted from The New Hampshire Sunday News July -1984
by George Woodbury The “Temperance Move-
ment” that swept New England in the early 19th century made some prog- ress in desiccating Ches- ter, but not a great deal in spite of the enthusi- asm of the abstemious and godly. It proved too heroic an undertaking. In the year 1829 the
population of Chester was around 2,000. Ben- jamin Chase’ authorita- tive history of the town (1869) records that in that year of 1829, “the community was subject (strong drink). Among other things,
inquiries were addressed to the retailers as to the quantity they sold and the result was that about 10,000 gallons of New England rum were re- tailed in Chester that year at a cost of at least $4,000, besides the West India rum, gin, etc.” A little elemental arith-
met ic indicates that Chester was indeed rath- er swampy - in fact un- der such circumstances it is a tribute to rural Chester of yester-year that any man, woman or child ever drew a sober breath the year around. Chester, as the burgeon- ing Temperance Move- ment rightly guessed, had a definite problem in the Demon Rum and appeared sinking for the third time unless prompt and effective measures came to the rescue. Ov e r indulgne c e in
strong drink has been frowned upon by all good men since the time Noah became overtaken and disgraced himself -- and
to drink to unconscious- ness. Then the number of inns and taverns were limited by law. Portsmouth, for exam-
ple, was allowed six, for it was a busy port city, but rural Newington was permitted only one. Then no licenses were
permitted without the approval of the town se- lectmen. By 1791 even more stringent license laws were passed but still with no discernible effect. As early as 1812 “the
probably even before that. New England had scarcely been settled be- fore legislation was en- acted to curb drunken- ness. Early in the reign of
George II, the General Assembly of New Hamp- shire required all tav- erners, innholders and retailers to procure a license and pay an ex- cise tax. Taverners and innholders were taxed
eight pence per gallon on all wines, rums or spirits, and retailers had to pay six pence per gallon. The excise was passed along to the ultimate consumer but did little to discour- age the thirst. About the same time, it
was made illegal to drink for more than two hours at a time and not after 10pm. -Nor was any inn- keepr or tapster allowed to extend credit greater
ALWAYS 20-50% off of Mall Prices....
We have the largest selection in the White M Located in Tax-Free NH....we're worth the trip!
2370 Route 16, West Ossipee, NH • 603-539-9578 Cash for Gold!
NDENT JE
Look amazing, feel even better!
e mountains!
-diamonds-colored gem stones-diamond rings-earrings- LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED!
than five shillings; a re- tailer might trust no more than 20 shillings. Those measures appeared to have little effect in stem- ming the flow. Apprentices and black slaves drank with un- distinguished gusto and were restrained by an act of 1715 that allowed them no alcohol in any form without their mas- ter’s permission and they were forbidden expressly
Haverhill Association” made its appearance to combat the Demon Rum and Rev. Nathan Brad- street of Chester placed his church squarely be- hind Temperance. “No brother shall be deemed wanting in generosity or hospitality if he neglects to provide ardent spirit for his brethren when they meet at his house,” was the message of the association on the sub- ject. It becomes clear from
Chester’s early history that drinking was of two kinds. There was social drinking, often enthusi- astic, which was a fea- ture funerals, weddings, See HISTORY on 29
Burn Fat and Enjoy It! the ultimate out-of-gym experience
Lose 3-5% Body Fat • Lose 6-10 Pounds • Gain 100% Confidence
Women’s Only and Co-Ed Classes available in both Center Harbor & West Ossipee All ages and experience levels welcome Register Today!
Next camps starting soon!
www.OssipeeBootCamp.com
Ellen@OssipeeBootCamp.com •
603.387.9816 •
R
S
I
LE ND
WE EPE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64