By 1840 the population of Manchester had grown from a few hundred to 3,325. The number of newcomers had either exceeded the number of original residents, or this was about to happen. Conflicts were emerging between the old seat of power, Manchester Center and the “New Village” on and near Elm Street. Historian C. E. Potter wrote in his 1856 “History of Manchester,” “The people of the village did not talk or act with much moderation. They openly told their intention of controlling the affairs of the town.”

In early 1840 the town's post office was moved from Manchester Center to Dunklee's Block, a new commercial building on Elm Street. Historian Grace Holbrook Blood wrote in 1946, “This establishment of the post office on Elm Street was something in the nature of the handwriting on the wall. Very obviously, irrevocable changes were at work and the Mammoth Road village…was being bypassed.” This and other unwelcomed changes upset the old residents, who were beginning to realize that their influence over local affairs was being threatened.

The town meeting of March 1840 was held at the meeting house, commonly called the “Town House,” in Manchester Center. The established citizens and the “interlopers” held opposite opinions on many issues. On the first day of the meeting the various votes on town affairs went entirely in favor of the newcomers. Towards evening, a motion was made to adjourn, and to meet again the next day at 10 a.m. to finish taking care of business. This proposal wouldn't have been controversial, except that it specified that the meeting location be moved to Washington Hall on Amherst Street. This location was more convenient for the new residents, and presumably the change was also meant to signal a departure from the traditional way of doing things.

Much commotion resulted. Someone demanded there be a poll of all the voters present. Another person proposed that everyone go outside onto the town common, and form two lines — one in favor of meeting at Washington Hall, and one for returning to the Town House. As Potter wrote, “This suggestion met the views of all parties; the question was put before the Moderator and a large portion of the voters went out and formed lines…”

One can only imagine the confusion and complaints, as the agitated crowd struggled to organize itself on the frozen green. A few people stayed behind in the Town House. Someone made a motion that the continued meeting take place there the next morning. The Moderator swiftly put this to a vote, and it carried. Hearing this, everyone rushed back into the building, but the Moderator would take no more motions, and the meeting was adjourned. This vote was likely the last one in the town's history that favored the original residents over the new people.

The voters from the “New Village” met that night at Washington Hall. They worked out their political differences, and agreed on a slate of candidates that would represent their interests. The next day everyone arrived at the Town House in Manchester Center at an early hour. Tensions were so high that 30 men were appointed on the spot to act as constables to maintain order. As soon as this impressive force was in place, votes were taken to elect the three Selectmen and other town officials. The new residents won every vote, and in the end they succeeded in effectively taking over Manchester's government. The atmosphere quieted down as the original residents resigned themselves to letting Democracy take its course.

Manchester's town meeting of 1840 was the end of an era. Since the town was founded in 1751 under its original name “Derryfield” the responsibility and authority to manage local affairs had resided with a few individuals and families with solid roots in the community. That picture had changed seemingly overnight, as Manchester was transformed from a sleepy little town into a lively mill city.

On February 1, 1841, the town meeting was held at Washington Hall in the “New Village.” In the summer of that year Manchester built a substantial Town Hall out of brick on the location of the current City Hall.

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Next week: The new Town Hall.

Aurore Eaton is executive director of the Manchester Historic Association. Contact her at aeaton@manchesterhistoric.org.