The Buildings Committee has selected Rick Monahon to lead town residents through this planning process. Rick is a local architect who has worked on Nelson buildings in the past, and who has a wealth of experience working with old buildings. His work will take advantage of the dollars already spent by the town in 2010, through use of the property survey, wetlands delineation, digitized base drawings of the buildings, and the initial engineering assessment of the Town Hall.

This planning work is especially important now because the Town has received reports from both the Local Government Center and the New Hampshire Department of Labor that outline needed improvements.

If the warrant article is approved at Town Meeting, then Monahon will complete the following items:

• Analysis of the base drawings of the current structures.
• Space availability and needs assessment for the Town Hall, Town Offices and Library.
• Structural assessments and recommendation for the Town Hall framing and foundation.
• Recommendation for other repairs, including windows, flooring, and heating systems.
• Recommendations for means to meet Life Safety and ADA requirements.
• Several public meetings to first gather input from residents and then present options.
• Development of plan drawings and preliminary cost estimates for recommended measures, for consideration at the 2013 Town Meeting.

This process could begin as soon as April 2012. The Town of Nelson is fortunate to have received this grant from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, especially in the current era of limited state funding for town projects. The NHPA has worked with towns both large and small across New Hampshire to provide a “simple road map for appropriate treatments, cost estimates, and effective phasing for preservation work, or to develop re-use plans.”

The Town Buildings Committee applied for this grant last Fall, and would like to thank Susan Hansel and Bert Wingerson for their valuable help with the grant application. Contact any member of the committee for further information: Lisa Sieverts (762-0235), Tom Buttrick, Rob Germeroth, Bud French or Warren Hammack..

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 FROM 9AM TO NOON
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 FROM 9AM TO NOON
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 FROM 5PM TO 8PM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012 FROM 9AM TO NOON
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3,2012 FROM 4PM TO 5PM

AVAILABLE OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

This is from her performance in The Hotel Nelson.

Three inches of fresh snow greeted us Nelsonites that morning, two days before Christmas. Our weekly Monday hike was on Friday this week, and we looked forward to exploring the extreme northeast corner of town. We hoped to check out some rumored trails around Rollstone Mountain, an intriguing area on USGS maps and Google-Earth satellite views. Rollstone Mountain and Holt Hill make up the uplands in the extreme northeast of Nelson. Strangely, the hill is higher than the mountain. Years ago Sue and I had followed a bobcat here, along logs and across walls, round feline tracks in powder.

Four of us carpooled from the village, skidding up slippery Old Stoddard Rd, barely squeezing by the Hayes wrecker parked mid-street on the straight uphill stretch of road past the town barns. The car on the flatbed was an indication of the driving conditions. So was the greasy road itself.

Two sections of Nelson’s town lines cross Rye Pond: a north-south section of the border abuts Antrim to the east. North of the east-west line sits Stoddard. It’s a wild area—most who drive NH 123 between Hancock village and South Stoddard spend less than a minute in Nelson, but a disproportionate percentage of the town’s moose collisions likely happen in those few rods. We parked on the shoulder and heading into the woods of Antrim.

Soon we were on the King’s Highway, here just a woodland trail between two parallel stone walls. In Nelson, this oldest of roads most likely is buried under 123. We could have followed it southeast into Hancock, where it becomes a town road, but instead we left it for another trail heading southwesterly. At a fork, we headed uphill to the right, thinking that was the main trail. We were wrong.

The trail disappeared on a slope of refrigerator-sized boulders. We clambered upslope, but soon decided to “follow the contour” south. We split up briefly when Kathy Schillemat and I headed uphill along a brook, while the other two, Niña Iselin and Kathy’s son-in-law Roland, chose the small ridge just past the brook. We soon rejoined on the ridge after the brook-walkers hit a tangle of downed trees, and we continued climbing.

This section was pure hardwood. Beech, maple, birch, but not a single conifer—pine, spruce, or fir— anywhere in sight. Soon we hit an actual trail—apparently an old logging road (and more currently a snowmobile trail, we soon discovered. It was also the left fork we should have followed, we later determined). This trail angled upslope to the right, northeasterly. Soon we saw conifers again—first spruce sprouts half buried in snow, then spruce saplings.

Up to now we had seen little fresh wildlife sign. Tracks of gray squirrels, mostly, and some snowed-over deer tracks. Now we found deer tracks among nibbled ends of evergreen wood ferns. Here the trail leveled—the main slope up west to our left, a rugged knoll rising on the right. It was an enchanting spot—Niña called it a fairyland. Between these slopes the trail passed through brushy pools and puddles, thinly frozen, around which we shunpiked.

A square of plywood nailed on a tree was a snowmobile trail sign. One arrow pointed down the trail we had just ascended. A side trail headed to “Mark’s Park”, whatever that might be. We went the other way, crossing a stone wall that likely is also the town line, thus returning to Nelson. The trail trended uphill. Soon we came upon fresh tracks of ruffed grouse stitching the snow and crossing the trail. We variously backtracked this “partridge” and followed the trail, until the trail headed steeply down where the bird tracks crossed again. The others returned to where we had first seen the tracks. I continued backtracking, and soon found where the tracks began. The bird had dragged its toes in the snow as it landed, then walked.

Meanwhile, the other hikers caught up with and spooked the grouse to flight. Fresh pile of droppings on a log, wingtips brushing the snow.

We continued uphill through mixed woods, towards where the grouse had flown. Saw no more sign of it, but where the slope steepened we found deer beds—melted patches in the snow. The tracks leaving them seemed very fresh.

It is fun to search for hairs in spots where wildlife have bedded. Usually you can find a few if you search. Deer and moose have hollow hairs, which likely provide better insulation than would solid hairs. It also means they kink if you bend them, like hollow garden hoses. We found and kinked a few.

When bushwacking in a group, you could walk in single file. Or you can spread out, improving the chance of somebody finding something interesting. Uphill from grouselaunch log, we were more scattered. I found red squirrel middens—little piles of spruce-cone scales where the little rodent had sat and snacked on spruce seeds, tearing apart the cones to get to the morsels—but only Roland saw the deer.

It appeared we were topping out. This could be the top of Rollstone Mountain, Holt Hill, or some other bump on the map. We were more into conifers—one section of open woods appeared to be pure spruce, contrasting to the earlier pure hardwoods. And here was the top—two or three car-sized boulders topped with an artistic stone cairn. Later we decided this was Rollstone’s peak. Through the woods and the fickle mist we picked out Nubanusit to the southeast.

Time to head back—one member of the party had promises to keep. To the east, we reckoned we would hit the King’s Highway, or maybe our old tracks. Within a few hundred yards or less we hit a stonewall running north-south.

I suspect it was the same wall we had crossed earlier to the north—the town line wall—and that if we followed it south we would get to where Kathy, Rick Church, and I had started a transect of Nelson a few weeks back. That wall is visible on Google-Earth’s satellite view, and makes a right turn where we had started our transect, heading west into Nelson. That excursion, on December 5, took us from the east edge of Nelson to Holt Farm Rd. We had bushwacked west from the town line, up over the shoulder of Holt Hill, skirted just north of White Swamp (the wetland north of Spoonwood), up an incredible steep slope of boxcar-sized boulders to a lookout spot on the north shoulder of Osgood (City) Hill, and on. (On a previous expedition, Kathy and I had named that spot “October Snow Rock”, for the day we first came there from the north. We had discovered it last summer on a hike up from Brickyard Brook and Kulish Ledges). Descending Holt Hill on December 5th, we had startled a black bear from a split red oak. We hope to return to that oak—there seemed to be a bear-sized hollow at the split, maybe 15 feet off the ground. Hollow trees have been used for denning. In November Kathy and I had found bear tracks in snow on a north shoulder of Osgood Hill.

Rollstone Mountain as an eagle might see it.

East from that stone wall on the probable town line, we slipped and slid down, grabbing saplings, our group spreading out to variously explore or avoid boulders, rock overhangs, logs and log-tangles, and finally gathered on a trail at the bottom. It was the same trail we had hit twice already. Near where we were now, it switchbacked up towards our earlier fairyland, but we followed it back to that left fork (where we had gone right), and our old tracks in the snow. Back to the King’s Highway and thence to the car.

I would like to know more about how the King’s Highway was laid out and constructed. It was a rough road through the wilderness, but here at the base of Rollstone, it passes through some bony land. Some boulders would have been a challenge to move. All this with oxen, horse, manpower, and what tools were then available? But if the Easter Islanders, in the remote Pacific, could move those much bigger monoliths without any animal power, these would not be impossible.

I have long thought that rebels in the American Revolution had dragged cannon from the captured Fort Ticonderoga to Boston along this road, and thus were able to drive out the British. I had heard this about Vermont’s old highway, the Crown Point Road, and I assumed that once they had hit the Connecticut River near Fort Number Four, they would naturally have continued on the King’s Highway through New Hampshire. But a little online research proved me wrong. Colonel Henry Knox, Continental Army, took a smoother and more southerly route through New York and Massachusetts, bringing 60 tons of cannon and other equipment to Boston in the winter of 1775-1776, in what was called “The Noble Train of Artillery”. Our King’s Highway awaits other adventures.

Nelson and Harrisville Trails Committees and friends at the David Marshal home site.

The Nelson Trails Committee is exploring Cobb Hill on the line between Nelson and Harrisville with the hope of laying out a network of trails. Several ancient roads and a Harris Center trail provide a good starting point.  There are a number of early cellar holes in what was originally the southeast corner of Nelson. There should be circular walking routes available from both towns. The Harrisville and Nelson Trails Committees are working jointly on the project.

The committees have walked the territory on two separate hikes covering about five miles in the process. Sunday, December 4^th saw thirteen committee members and friends from both towns assemble at the end of Nelson’s Nubanusit Road for an afternoon’s exploration of Cobb Hill. The temperatures were in the forties; there was a brisk, cold wind on the high ridge and a skim of ice on some of the puddles in the road.

Dressed in bright colors for the last day of deer season, the group followed old roads past the site of David Marshall’s home (1776) to a Harris Center trail up the side of Cobb Hill and a lookout with views of Lake Skatutake and Mount Monadnock to the south. From there it was a short bushwhack to the summit of Cobb Hill at 1868’. With leaves off the trees, there were views to the north and south through trees stunted by exposure to years of wind and cold. The group worked its way west and south over the high ground to return to the old road and return to the cars.

There is plenty on Cobb to interest walkers: old roads, cellar holes, scenic views  and numerous blueberry bushes that will make good snacking in season.

The two committees will meet in January to figure out where any trails might be. Anyone wishing to join the fun should call Rick Church at 847-3206.

Sophia Newell (or possibly an imposter) in front of the Gad Newell home, on Cemetery Road.

Editors note:  This is the third and final article in a series relating the founding of the first ministry in Packersfield.  The first detailed the many efforts to acquire a minister for a small, remote community. Several ministers came for trial periods and several offers of employment were made before Jacob Foster accepted the call. The second discussed Foster’s contentious dismissal for reasons the records do not make clear.  What is clear is that the parting was difficult.  This final article deals with the start of Packersfield/Nelsons longest ministry, that of Gad Newell.  Sensitive to the situation in the aftermath of the Foster mess, the young Newell took a healing approach.

In the aftermath of the Reverend Jacob Foster’s dismissal, Packersfield moved on.

A much more established community now, the town seemed to have little trouble finding a replacement.  The process took two years, but there is no record of repeated trials of new ministers and rejected offers of employment. The town provided a settlement of 170 pounds (a sort of signing bonus) and offered the new preacher a salary of 70 pounds per year.  The new minister was a twenty-nine-year-old Yale graduate named Gad Newell.  The Reverend Newell was installed on June 11, 1794 and retired 43 years later.  His letter to the people of Packersfield bespoke his faith in God and of the healing needed in the aftermath of Jacob Foster’s dismissal reproduced here in its full late eighteenth century eloquence:

“To the Church of Christ and the people of God in Packersfield in the State of New Hampshire – grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord be multiplied –

“It has pleased the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of glory with whom are the hearts of all men to unite this church and congregation in making choice of me for your Gospel Minister.  Accordingly you presented your proposals to me for my consideration (bearing date October 22 A.D. 1793). As it is one of the greatest events of my life and unspeakably important consequences depend it has become me and I do endeavor to feel myself under the all seeing eye of God and I trust I am not actuated from motives of personal private interest or reward but with a view to the glory of God. And have endeavored humbly to look unto God for His direction in a serious consideration and enquiry respecting my duty in this important affair — Considering the extraordinary and singular unanimity of the church and congregation and how undesirable it is for a people to be scattered upon the hills without a spiritual instructor and guide. These things lead me to conclude and afford a prospect that my compliance will be for the glory of God the honor and interest of the cause of Christ and the God of the immortal Souls.  From this view that it is for the Glory of God the interest of the Redeemer’s Kingdom and for the salvation of souls. I am as I trust induced cheerfully to comply with your invitations relying on the grace of God and the gracious promises of the Lord Jesus Christ made to his faithful ministers.

“And may I obtain mercy and grace of God to be a faithful minister on the new covenant to come unto you in the fullness of blessing of the Gospel of Christ seeking not yours but you and willing to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ and for the spiritual good of your immortal souls.  How great arduous and important the work. How solemn that I must give account of the souls committed to my charge. Should I consult flesh and blood and look to my own ability and sufficiency in undertaking and performing this great work I might well shrink back from it.

“Who is sufficient for these things is the expresion [sic] even of the great apostle through Christ strengthening even the weak may be made strong and small means blessed for great good. And without His especial gracious assistance no one can be properly sufficient leaning not to our own understandings but heartily to the allisufficiancy [sic] and faithfulness of the Great Head of the Church we may go forward finding consolation and support.

“It becomes a minister of Christ to give himself wholly to the work in which he engages not for filthy lucres [sic] sake but have a ready mind. And as I expect and engage this to do to spend the principal part of my time to study and labor continually for the upholding of Christ’s cause and church among you and for the spiritual interest of your immortal souls.  It is but proper as long as I thus do I should reap your carnal things receive from you a comfortable subsistence and this I trust I shall so long as the unanimity and friendship continues and there is a prospect of my being useful and doing good among you and when this is at an end it is best we should part. But may God of His mercy grant that no unhappy separation may take place, but that each of us may know what is proper for our several stations and to conduct as that we may further one another’s salvation.

“I shall stand in a near relation to this Church and in a very important one to you all both the aged the middle aged and the youth and even the children and all who attend on my ministry I am to watch for your souls as one that must give an account. Many will be the souls committed to my charge.  The work is difficult arduous and unspeakably important. I need therefore to be much in prayer meditation and study and to be diligent and faithful, and need and do desire your prayers your watchfulness your friendly correction and council as well as that you will need mine.   And the same forbearance being but a man shall I need from you that you will from me.

“As the upbuilding of Redeemer’s Kingdom and is infinitely important and the most glorious object and the welfare of your immortal souls of unspeakable concernment to you and as you invited me to labor among you in these things to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ it is my duty to be plain and faithful not to seek to please men but God. And it is important how you hear if may obtain mercy of God to be a faithful minister of the new covenant. What I deliver will be a savor of life unto life or a savor of death unto death to you all. But I would charge you not to hearken to what I deliver now follow my example any further than they shall be according to the word of God in your best judgment which you are to study daily to know what is the truth and practice according to it. For all men are fallible and imperfect.

“May God grant I so speak live and that you may so hear and practice that I and you may have occation [sic] to rejoice in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain. And therefore let us keep near the throne of grace and continually bear each other and zion’s cause on our hearts in our addresses to the God of all mercies that we may finally rejoice together united by  – forever with Christ in his Kingdom and glory. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepard [sic] of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do His will working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever. Amen.

“I subscribe myself your affectionate friend and brother in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Gad Newell

Dated Packersfield April 5^th 1794”

The young Reverend Newell was mindful of the fate of his predecessor when he wrote that he would remain in Packersfield’s service “so long as the unanimity and friendship continues and there is a prospect of my being useful.” He even contemplated the end of his service: For when “doing good among you… is at an end it is best we should part. But may God of His mercy grant that no unhappy separation may take place, but that each of us may know what is proper for our several stations and to conduct as that we may further one another’s salvation.”

It had been a little over two years since Jacob Foster’s difficult dismissal.

Gad Newell served long and well. His life and service saw the financial separation of church and town and the building of the third place of worship, Nelson’s current Congregational Church. He died in 1859 at age 95 and was buried in the very spot where once his pulpit stood high on the hill.

Click here to see more history articles by Rick Church.

October 20, 2011: The Oxford English Dictionary “Word of the Day:

Nelson, n.¹

His position will be filled for the remainder of the year (until Town Meeting, 2012) by Bud French. Thank Bud for stepping in!

Jeanette Baker aka Jaybird

The Trails Committee of Moving in Step and the Conservation Commission invite the people of Nelson to an event to celebrate the opening of our first walking trail.

The event features a talk by Jeanette Baker on her Appalachian Trail Hike last year. The following afternoon there will be on a walk on the Old Road to Dublin, oldest documented road in Nelson. Mrs. Baker’s talk is at the Town Hall at 7PM, Friday October 21^st. The walk will take place Saturday the 22^nd at 1:45PM.

The Trails Committee has been working to layout and mark trails for the people in Nelson to be able to walk and appreciate the natural and cultural richness of our town. Detailed trail guides and maps will be available for these walks. The Old Road to Dublin is the first trail to be completed by the committee.

The trail is the original road connecting Nelson to Dublin and runs from the Hardy Hill Road in  Nelson to Cricket Hill Road in Harrisville. It was laid out in 1773. The Nelson Trails Committee has documented both historic sites and interesting things in the natural world. Rick Church and Al Stoops will be along to talk about the cellar holes (4) and the natural world along the trail.

In April, 2010, Jeanette Baker, long-time Hancock neighbor, laced up her sneakers, shouldered a backpack and embarked on a 5-month hike of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.  Along the way she encountered ever-changing terrain, weather, fellow hikers and creatures of the wild.  Join us to hear stories of her adventures, including how she planned and prepared for her journey.  Her delightfully captivating one-hour oration will be followed by her answers to your questions.

The walk is a 2 ½ mile round trip and should take less than two hours.  To join the walk, meet in the Village at 1:45PM on Saturday the 22^nd. The walk will leave promptly at 2PM. The rain date is Sunday the 23rd at the same time.