THE BUILDING OF DARTMOUTH HALL

Mr. Perley R. Bugbee has lately come into possession of a very interesting old document relating to the College. It is nothing less than the itemized account of the settlement, July 8, 1808, between the trustees of Dartmouth College and S. Kendrick "Adm. de bonis non" of the estate of Col. Elisha Payne of Lebanon, who as "Contractor" had charge of the building of Dartmouth Hall from September, 1784 to the spring of 1791.

The account indicates the sources from which the funds for the construction of the building were obtained, and also shows, while referring to other and more specific accounts, the cost of materials and labor, in general. The main facts in relation to both receipts and expenditures are given in Chase's History of the College, but this account supplies some interesting details.

Thus, we find on the credit side of the account gifts of 43, 1/2 pounds of beef at 2, 1/2d a pound, a hide of 43, 1/2 pounds weight at 3d a pound, several quarts of rum at 1/4d a quart, three pairs of men's shoes at 8/ a pair. Such helps came in connection with subscriptions from many individuals and different places, with the proceeds of the lottery and the sale of lands. The account is of course in pounds, shillings and pence, not sterling, but lawful money.

The debtor side of the account is more extended and more interesting. It will he remembered that work on the foundations began in September, 1784, and the first item in the account is: "Sept. 29, 1784. To 2 qts. Rum by Mr. Holden about digging cellar for the new edifice". That there was no approximation to prohibition, or even temperance, is evident from another charge that soon appears, although dates are not given, of "34, 1/2 Gall Rum @ 4/; barrel for do 5/, transporting from Padds 5/", and again, later, "Paid R. Lang for 20 Gals Rum for workmen about chimnies £5, and also, "to pay made Major Young for boarding himself Grog &c while at work on chimneys".

The College undertook to board its workmen, if they wished it, and for this reason was forced to play the part of commissary. It bought large amounts of beef at 20/ a hundred weight, veal and mutton at 3d a pound, salt pork and butter at 8d a pound, wheat at 5/ a bushel, and how it provided vegetables we find explained in the item: "To hire of a Garden of Gilbard (Gilbert?) for sauce for workmen on the College £7"2"6." To workmen, like carpenters, for whom board was furnished, 4/ a day were paid, while to one who worked "finding himself" the daily wage was 6/. It was not always possible to pay in cash, and so we find such entries as this: "Paid Majr Young for building chimnies £77"6"0, wheat at 4/ or cattle at cash price". Boys who served as helpers received 2/ a day.

The cost of materials is accurately given. Bricks cost 22/ a thousand "delivered at the building", "oak slitwork", corresponding to our "dimension timber", cost 36/' to 40/ a thousand feet at the mill, pine -planks, two inches thick, cost £3 a thousand, lining boards 27/ a thousand, shingles 10/ to 12/ a thousand, while nails cost according to their size, "larth nails" being 5/ a thousand, ten penny nails 15/ and twenty penny £1. Lime varied between £1"6 and £1"15 a hogshead.

Most of the work on the building was done by the day, so that it is impossible to tell the cost of the various parts, but certain things are given, for instance: "To paid Adam Rice for Stoning College Cellar as by agreement, £550". The raising of the frame, which, after the custom of the time, was lifted bodily in sections after having been put together on the ground, called for the payment of £100 to Joshua Hazen, but it was evidently in a note, as we find a later entry: "To pay' made Col. Joshua Hazen for part of interest on note for raising the College frame, £1"1". There is an item of £59"9"8 for window frames, but it did not include all. As we have seen, there was a payment of £77"6 for work on chimneys, but this, too, was not inclusive.

There are suggestions only as to the places from which materials were obtained. Bricks were bought in Hanover, and probably in Lebanon. "Posts for College" to the amount of £33"6"4 came from "Elias Chapman, Col. Hazen, Asa Hazen, Widow Hazen, Thos. Savage Junr & J. Dutton", all of whom lived in Hartford or Norwich. Lumber was bought in many places in both large and small lots, Col. Payne himself furnishing much of various kinds "at my mill", which was, at the outlet of Enfield pond, now Mascoma lake. Nails were bought as they could be found, two thousand ten penny nails having been picked up at Grafton. Lime, as has been said, came mainly from Cavendish, some from Lebanon, and there is a charge of £118"18"2 for "making and transporting Lime at Saltash", whatever or wherever that may be.

The account ends with a charge of £500 "To my time and expence in carrying out the building and advancing pay", which, considering the fact that it covered a period of seven years, and that it involved an endless amount of detail, oversight and responsibility, as well as the management of the finances to a large extent and often making payments out of his own funds, cannot be called excessive. And then the poverty of the College was such that the account was not settled for seventeen years after Col. Payne gave up his work and then by a note of $100 and a deed for fifty acres of land in Lebanon.

It is to be hoped that sometime the College may secure this document, which Mr. Bugbee has now so kindly loaned for examination.

First Pages of Original Account Book for the Building of Dartmouth Hall