Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

26 RAMBLES ABOUT PORTSMOUTH.
constructed that the building may be cool and airy in
summer, and that the northerly side may be closed by
doors against the storms in winter. The expense was
estimated at one thousand dollars.
This report, it appears, did not meet the public approbation; so after further consideration, at a town meeting
held on the 7th of April, 1800, it was decided to erect a
Market House and Hall over it. The building to be 80S
feet long and 35 feet wide. The lower story 12 feet high,
and the upper 14-intended, as was said at the time, for "a
commodious and elegant Town Hall." The town passed a
vote that the Market roof be covered with tar and gravel
to protect it from fire. As we find one hundred dollars
were expended for shingles, it. is probable that this vote
was not regarded.
In four days after the vote to build was passed, the
building committee, of which Col. Gains was chairman,
advertised for bricks, lime, stone, &c. Soon the land was
cleared, and the work commenced; and it is recorded as a
remarkable fact for those times, that in 39 days, all the
bricks, amounting to 145,000, were laid. We find that no
less than eighty-nine persons were employed in constructing the building, of whom only two are now living. It is
not probable that the work proceeded as noiselessly as
that on Solomon's Temple, for we find among the bills one
of $129, for a hogshead of rum, and also a bill of $70 for
brads, lead and rum. This is some indication of the spirit
of those times. The whole expense of the building, aside
from the land, was $7,565.90.
The chairman of the building committee, who superintended the work, brought in no bill for his services, but
left the matter with the town. The towvn readily voted
to give Col. George Gains $150. IHe gave his receipt
accordingly.
Here a word for that father of Portsmouth, who so long