CHAPTER XXXIII. RAISING THE MEETING-HOUSE . 286
T this time, the all-absorbing topic of conversation in Tyng Township was the raising of the new meeting-house, which had been long deferred on account of the failure to build a mill to saw the necessary lumber. In this important event, however, the Scotch-Irish showed little interest. It is true they had no meeting-house, as the place of worship was invariably called at that period, but they were able to attend divine services in the town across the river, and thus did not miss the building as much as their rivals. The Tyng colonists had held occasional meetings at private houses, but it was not altogether convenient or satisfactory. Then, too, there was a provision in their grant calling for a house of worship, and until it was built they could not conscientiously reply to the attacks of the others, who were not above ridicule. So the raising of the meetinghouse became the one theme of conversation.
All through the summer it had been planned to have the new house ready for dedication at Thanksgiving; but the season had been so unfavourable for out-of-door work, taken with other delays and difficulties, that this had finally been given up. This became the more necessary, as Thanksgiving came early that year, the thirteenth of November having been appointed.
But raising day came at last, fair but cold. Early in the morning the men began to gather from far and near. Raisings in those times were important events, and men, and even women, often came long distances to be present and to lend such assistance as they could, either in helping raise the big timbers or in assisting to prepare the supper for the crowd of hungry workmen. If the raising of an ordinary house would draw such a crowd, how many more must come to the raising of a meeting-house. Men were at this raising under the Three Pines of Tyng Township from Chelmsford, twenty-five miles distant, from Old Dunstable, the home of the late Captain Tyng, from Nottingham, Naticook, Londonderry, Chester, and other towns. One singular thing was noticed and commented upon. Among the big crowd the most casual observer did not fail to notice the absence of the Scotch-Irish. It is true Mr. Archibald Stark was there, as he had said he should be, and also a few others, but not a " baker's dozen," as some one remarked.
But this did not trouble Mr. Anderson, the master builder, as long as he saw in the eighty or more men collected enough strength to lift the stout frame lying there ready to be put into proper position.
Raisings meant something different in those days from what they do now, when a building is "put up " by piecemeal. A whole side was stoutly joined together on the ground, and then raised bodily by sheer strength. Poles, with iron spikes in the end, were used to facilitate the lifting, when the form had been raised as high as one could easily reach. Then, at the loud command of the boss, " Up, up, up ! " went the heavy timbers, nothing like the cobwebs we put into buildings to-day, until the tenons would slip into the mortises with a sharp report, and the whole would stand as firm " as the rock-ribbed hills ! "
Tyng meeting-house being a large building for those days, its timbers were uncommonly big, and being poorly seasoned, were extremely heavy; but "many hands make light work," and one side after another went up, amid loud cheering and not a little drinking.
Three sides had thus been brought into position, and the men seized with a hearty will on the skeleton of the remaining wall.
" Now, boys! all together," cried Mr. Anderson ; "heave-o ! "
Two men, who were not able to lift as well as some of the rest, had each been stationed at the foot of the corner posts, so as to keep them from slipping, and so far there had been no accident. But this time, either one of the men had not planted himself with the necessary firmness, or else the men had been more careless than common in lifting the ponderous form, for one of the posts began to slip on the frozen ground.
"Hold firm, there, Robbins!" yelled Mr. Anderson. " Up with her, boys ! Heave-o ! heave-o ! "
Slowly rose the mighty frame, notwithstanding that it was still slipping in spite of the frantic efforts of the man at the base. It had risen so far that in another moment it would be secure on its own footing, when the man called Robbins lost his presence of mind. Instead of bracing himself more firmly and holding on, he loosened his clutch and retreated.
The action imperilled the life of every man under the timbers. Should the lifters drop the frame, a few might escape as it fell, but many would certainly be crushed under the falling broadside. Each man, knowing this, held upon the massive frame with all the strength he could muster, so that for a moment the whole form was held balanced almost free from the ground. It was a terrible moment. Even the noisy Mr. Anderson was silent.
Sometimes one young in experience will do what an older person would fail to accomplish successfully. It is certain no man there could have reached the foot of that sliding post as quickly as did Norman McNiel. His position had been favourable for the action, but what was of more vital importance, while others held their breath with terror, he had presence of mind equal to the emergency. That post had got to be held'firm, or all would be lost!
Near the foot of the timber was a stout hornbeam lever, which some one had thrown down a moment before. Seizing this, and throwing enough of his weight upon the lifting timber to keep it down, he planted one end of the stout stick against the stonework, and brought the lever over the foot of the post, so as to hold it where it was. Assured that he could keep it from slipping further, he shouted to the overtaxed workmen :
" Now, all together, up with it! I can hold the foot."
His words gave hope to the nearly exhausted men, who, with an almost superhuman effort, tugged anew at the heavy woodwork, which began to rise again.
" Heave-o, boys ! Up she goes ! " cried Mr. Anderson, exultantly.
The next moment tenon and mortise met, a loud report followed, and the huge broadside stood erect and firm.
While Mr. Anderson and a few others flew to drive in the pins to make sure of their work, most of the men sank upon the ground to rest. There was general rejoicing, and one more enthusiastic than the rest proposed three cheers for Tyngtown's new meeting-house.
" And three more for Norman McNiel," said Mr. Anderson, " who made it possible. If it hadn't been for him, there would have been no cheering, I can tell you."
Every one felt the truth of this, and one after another grasped Norman's hand, with generous thanksgiving on their lips.
Thus Tyng Township meeting-house was raised, and the colonists went to their respective homes with lighter hearts than they had known since accepting the responsibilities of their grant. Norman went home with Mr. Stark, who praised him heartily for his brave conduct.
" Mark my words, lad, you have made more friends to-day than you had before. When a man's life is in actual danger, he is apt to appreciate the effort made in his behalf. I minded that Gunwad was not there. He has lost ground. That burning of Christo's cabin has set every one against him. It was a miserable act, wholly uncalled for. Well, I am glad their meeting-house is at last on its feet. They cannot get it finished before another summer."
If the Tyng colonists could not have their meeting-house to hold services in on Thanksgiving day, they could at least observe the occasion with their accustomed ardour, and a shooting-match, intended to eclipse anything of the kind, was arranged to take place at that time. It was expected that marksmen would come from far and near to participate in the trial at arms. After persistent coaxing, the Woodranger had been finally obtained to act as manager of the ceremonies, but on the thirteenth a snow-storm set in. Every one was glad to hover over the wide-mouthed fireplace for such warmth and comfort as it afforded. It was the gloomiest Thanksgiving ever known in Tyng Township, and its storm, to some, foreboded the end.
The Woodranger was stopping at Captain Goffe's, but as soon as he had seen that the shooting-match would not take place, he showed his uneasiness at the enforced idleness.
"What ! never at rest?" asked Mr. Goffe, senior. " Don't you ever get tired, old man ? "
" I should dissemble the great truth o' natur' if I said I did not, sir. Ask the old man if he is never tired who sits in the chimney-corner and sucks his thumbs, cap'n. I may have my weakness, but man on the move is seldom tired. He gets oneasy, it is true, but motion is life, inactivity death. Man might as well be a stump, fit only to be put up in the clearing to stop deer from trespassing, as to sit idly down. I think I'll perambulate over toward ol' Pawtuckaway, and mebbe I shall hark a deer or a moose."
The snow fell so rapidly that before midnight a foot and a half lay on the ground. Winter, it might be said, had fairly set in.
| A |
T this time, the all-absorbing topic of conversation in Tyng Township was the raising of the new meeting-house, which had been long deferred on account of the failure to build a mill to saw the necessary lumber. In this important event, however, the Scotch-Irish showed little interest. It is true they had no meeting-house, as the place of worship was invariably called at that period, but they were able to attend divine services in the town across the river, and thus did not miss the building as much as their rivals. The Tyng colonists had held occasional meetings at private houses, but it was not altogether convenient or satisfactory. Then, too, there was a provision in their grant calling for a house of worship, and until it was built they could not conscientiously reply to the attacks of the others, who were not above ridicule. So the raising of the meetinghouse became the one theme of conversation.
All through the summer it had been planned to have the new house ready for dedication at Thanksgiving; but the season had been so unfavourable for out-of-door work, taken with other delays and difficulties, that this had finally been given up. This became the more necessary, as Thanksgiving came early that year, the thirteenth of November having been appointed.
But raising day came at last, fair but cold. Early in the morning the men began to gather from far and near. Raisings in those times were important events, and men, and even women, often came long distances to be present and to lend such assistance as they could, either in helping raise the big timbers or in assisting to prepare the supper for the crowd of hungry workmen. If the raising of an ordinary house would draw such a crowd, how many more must come to the raising of a meeting-house. Men were at this raising under the Three Pines of Tyng Township from Chelmsford, twenty-five miles distant, from Old Dunstable, the home of the late Captain Tyng, from Nottingham, Naticook, Londonderry, Chester, and other towns. One singular thing was noticed and commented upon. Among the big crowd the most casual observer did not fail to notice the absence of the Scotch-Irish. It is true Mr. Archibald Stark was there, as he had said he should be, and also a few others, but not a " baker's dozen," as some one remarked.
But this did not trouble Mr. Anderson, the master builder, as long as he saw in the eighty or more men collected enough strength to lift the stout frame lying there ready to be put into proper position.
Raisings meant something different in those days from what they do now, when a building is "put up " by piecemeal. A whole side was stoutly joined together on the ground, and then raised bodily by sheer strength. Poles, with iron spikes in the end, were used to facilitate the lifting, when the form had been raised as high as one could easily reach. Then, at the loud command of the boss, " Up, up, up ! " went the heavy timbers, nothing like the cobwebs we put into buildings to-day, until the tenons would slip into the mortises with a sharp report, and the whole would stand as firm " as the rock-ribbed hills ! "
Tyng meeting-house being a large building for those days, its timbers were uncommonly big, and being poorly seasoned, were extremely heavy; but "many hands make light work," and one side after another went up, amid loud cheering and not a little drinking.
Three sides had thus been brought into position, and the men seized with a hearty will on the skeleton of the remaining wall.
" Now, boys! all together," cried Mr. Anderson ; "heave-o ! "
Two men, who were not able to lift as well as some of the rest, had each been stationed at the foot of the corner posts, so as to keep them from slipping, and so far there had been no accident. But this time, either one of the men had not planted himself with the necessary firmness, or else the men had been more careless than common in lifting the ponderous form, for one of the posts began to slip on the frozen ground.
"Hold firm, there, Robbins!" yelled Mr. Anderson. " Up with her, boys ! Heave-o ! heave-o ! "
Slowly rose the mighty frame, notwithstanding that it was still slipping in spite of the frantic efforts of the man at the base. It had risen so far that in another moment it would be secure on its own footing, when the man called Robbins lost his presence of mind. Instead of bracing himself more firmly and holding on, he loosened his clutch and retreated.
The action imperilled the life of every man under the timbers. Should the lifters drop the frame, a few might escape as it fell, but many would certainly be crushed under the falling broadside. Each man, knowing this, held upon the massive frame with all the strength he could muster, so that for a moment the whole form was held balanced almost free from the ground. It was a terrible moment. Even the noisy Mr. Anderson was silent.
Sometimes one young in experience will do what an older person would fail to accomplish successfully. It is certain no man there could have reached the foot of that sliding post as quickly as did Norman McNiel. His position had been favourable for the action, but what was of more vital importance, while others held their breath with terror, he had presence of mind equal to the emergency. That post had got to be held'firm, or all would be lost!
Near the foot of the timber was a stout hornbeam lever, which some one had thrown down a moment before. Seizing this, and throwing enough of his weight upon the lifting timber to keep it down, he planted one end of the stout stick against the stonework, and brought the lever over the foot of the post, so as to hold it where it was. Assured that he could keep it from slipping further, he shouted to the overtaxed workmen :
" Now, all together, up with it! I can hold the foot."
His words gave hope to the nearly exhausted men, who, with an almost superhuman effort, tugged anew at the heavy woodwork, which began to rise again.
" Heave-o, boys ! Up she goes ! " cried Mr. Anderson, exultantly.
The next moment tenon and mortise met, a loud report followed, and the huge broadside stood erect and firm.
While Mr. Anderson and a few others flew to drive in the pins to make sure of their work, most of the men sank upon the ground to rest. There was general rejoicing, and one more enthusiastic than the rest proposed three cheers for Tyngtown's new meeting-house.
" And three more for Norman McNiel," said Mr. Anderson, " who made it possible. If it hadn't been for him, there would have been no cheering, I can tell you."
Every one felt the truth of this, and one after another grasped Norman's hand, with generous thanksgiving on their lips.
Thus Tyng Township meeting-house was raised, and the colonists went to their respective homes with lighter hearts than they had known since accepting the responsibilities of their grant. Norman went home with Mr. Stark, who praised him heartily for his brave conduct.
" Mark my words, lad, you have made more friends to-day than you had before. When a man's life is in actual danger, he is apt to appreciate the effort made in his behalf. I minded that Gunwad was not there. He has lost ground. That burning of Christo's cabin has set every one against him. It was a miserable act, wholly uncalled for. Well, I am glad their meeting-house is at last on its feet. They cannot get it finished before another summer."
If the Tyng colonists could not have their meeting-house to hold services in on Thanksgiving day, they could at least observe the occasion with their accustomed ardour, and a shooting-match, intended to eclipse anything of the kind, was arranged to take place at that time. It was expected that marksmen would come from far and near to participate in the trial at arms. After persistent coaxing, the Woodranger had been finally obtained to act as manager of the ceremonies, but on the thirteenth a snow-storm set in. Every one was glad to hover over the wide-mouthed fireplace for such warmth and comfort as it afforded. It was the gloomiest Thanksgiving ever known in Tyng Township, and its storm, to some, foreboded the end.
The Woodranger was stopping at Captain Goffe's, but as soon as he had seen that the shooting-match would not take place, he showed his uneasiness at the enforced idleness.
"What ! never at rest?" asked Mr. Goffe, senior. " Don't you ever get tired, old man ? "
" I should dissemble the great truth o' natur' if I said I did not, sir. Ask the old man if he is never tired who sits in the chimney-corner and sucks his thumbs, cap'n. I may have my weakness, but man on the move is seldom tired. He gets oneasy, it is true, but motion is life, inactivity death. Man might as well be a stump, fit only to be put up in the clearing to stop deer from trespassing, as to sit idly down. I think I'll perambulate over toward ol' Pawtuckaway, and mebbe I shall hark a deer or a moose."
The snow fell so rapidly that before midnight a foot and a half lay on the ground. Winter, it might be said, had fairly set in.
posted by Don at 8:23 AM
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