Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 11

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 11

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We have nothing to do with the territory now until 1752, when a petition was presented to the council at Portsmouth, praying them to grant the said petitioners certain tracts of land in the southern part of the province, in which it was stated " That the first or most southerly township, called No. I in the plan exhibited, may be alloted to the petition signed Elias Alexander, John Brooks and others." This petition was laid before the council on the roth of February, 1752, and on the following day, the 11th, a charter was granted by Benning Wetworth, incorporating "No. 1," under the name of Chesterfield, and granting the land to Col. Josiah Willard and sixty-four others. In the charter the boundary limits of the town are described as follows :-

" Beginning and adjoining to a stake and stones near the bank of Connect- icut river, which is the northwesterly corner bound of a place called Win- chester ; thence running south 78° degrees east upon Winchester line afore- said, till it meets with the western line of the lower Ashuelots, so-called, then carrying all the breadth of land between the river of Connecticut aforesaid and the said Ashuelots, so far up northerly as will make the contents of six miles square, bounding on this extent by a stake and stones near the bank of the river, and thence running south 78° east, till it meets with the Ashuelots aforesaid."

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

The first recorded perambulations of the lines thus described, was made in 1793, when the line between Chesterfield and Westmoreland was measured by Jonas Robbins, of the latter town, and found to have a length of " seven miles and three-fourths and forty-four rods," its direction being "east, 10º 13}' south." The line running from the northeast corner of Chesterfield to the southwest corner of Keene was described as having a length of one mile and sixteen rods, and a direction " south, 8° 30' east ;" and the line from the southwest corner of Keene to the northwest corner of Swanzey, as having a length of 263 rods, and a direction " east, 8° 30' south." The line between Chesterfield and Swanzey, was surveyed by John Braley, and described as having a direction, starting from the northwest corner of Swanzey, of "south, 332° west," its length not being given ; but according to measurements made at a later date, this line has a length of nearly four and one-half miles. The same surveyor also surveyed the line which separates Chesterfield from Win- chester and Hinsdale, and found it to have a direction of "west, togº north," starting from the southeast corner of Chesterfield. Its length is about seven and seven-eighths miles. The width of the town on the river bank is about six miles.

It is more than probable that the name Chesterfield was given to the new town by Governor Wentworth, in honor of the Earl of Chesterfield. He was a man celebrated as an orator and writer, and his name was brought particu- larly into prominence at that time, as he had not only held responsible gov- ernment offices, but had, in that year, brought about an important change in the calendar. Previous to that change the legal year had begun on the 25th of March, and the civil year on the Ist of January. The change made the year in both cases begin with January.

The surface of Chesterfield is broken and hilly, presenting some very pleas- ing scenery. The highest elevation is Wantastiquet, or West River Moun- tain, which rises abruptly from the river in the southwestern part of the town, to an altitude of about 1,200 feet above the sea-level. Its longer axis is about four miles, nearly parallel with the river. The mountain is in many parts wild and rugged in contour, while its summit commands a beautiful view, the eye sweeping the Connecticut for miles north and south, and taking in the beautiful country to the east, and that of the verdant plains of the valley in Vermont, with the Green Mountains beyond. The Indians, in the days of the Colonial wars, it is said, took advantage of the prospect thus af- forded, to watch the settlers in the vicinity of Fort Dummer, and hence the name " Indian's Great Chair," applied to a particular portion of its summit. Mt. Pistareen, the next important elevation, lies east of Spafford lake, near Factory village. Its name is said to have been derived from this fact of the mountain, in whole or in part, having been bought at one time for a pistareen (about eighteen cents). It has an altitude of 1,000 feet, and also affords a fine prospect, while the scenery surrounding it is very beautiful. Of the other elevations, Streeter, Barrett, Hall and Atherton hills are the most prominent. The

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SPAFFORD LAKE, Looking North from Prospect House CHESTERFIELD, N.H.

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

former lies in the northwestern part of the town, and is named after several families of that name who lived in that vicinity at an early date. Its altitude is a trifle greater than that of Mt. Pistareen. Barrett hill lies near the south- ern boundary of the town. Hall hill, which has a still greater altitude than Streeter hill, lies in the eastern part of the town, near Factory village. Ath- erton hill also lies in the eastern part of the town, its name being derived from Joseph Atherton, who settled upon it in 1795.

The town has no stream flowing through it, though the majestic Connecti- cut upon its western border compensates for any lack of beauty in this re- spect. There are many streams and brooks having their rise here, however, among which are Catsbane brook, with its tributaries, Lily Pond and Wheeler brooks ; Governor's brook, Leavitt's brook, Marsh's brook, Partridge brook, Wild brook, (upon which is a deep ravine, the most remarkable natural curi- osity in the town,) and Broad brook. Catsbane island, lying in the Connecti- cut about half a mile below the mouth of Catsbane brook, contains but a few acres, but it is noted as being the place where the Indians crossed the river on their way to Canada, after having defeated Sergeant Taylor's party, in July, 1748. There are also several ponds lying partially or wholly within the limits of the town ; but for beauty or interest nothing in the vicinity equals Spafford's lake.

This beautiful sheet of water, which has become so justly celebrated as a resort in the summer season, lies nearly in the center of the northern half of the town. It has an irregularly ovate form, about a mile and a half in length and a mile in width, thus covering about 700 acres, and lies at an altitude of 738 feet above the sea, and 500 feet above the Connecticut. Its shore is, in great part, either sandy or rocky, and its water is remarkably pure, being supplied mostly by springs, for there are only three or four brooks of any con- sequence that empty into the lake, and it is doubtful whether they do more than supply the loss from evaporation in the summer months. Pierce's Is- land, an emerald gem of about seven acres in extent, lies in the southwest- ern part of the lake, and is much resorted to by picnic and camping parties. Here many Indian relics have been found -principal ly stone pestles and ar- row-heads-and tradition says that it once was used by the savages as a stronghold, or place of refuge. As to the origin of the lake's name there are two theories, though there are no positive records to substantiate either. The generally accepted tradition is that it was named from early settlers, by the name of Spafford, upon its shore. But the town records show the name of no such early settlers. There are reasons, however, for supposing that its name was given before the settlement of the town, and this Spafford, who is said to have lived near its shore, was a hunter and only a temporary resident. Another theory is that it was named after one of the original grantees, of which there were two, John and Silas Spafford.

For the past fifteen years or so the lake has been gradually growing in popular favor as a summer resort. Those who seek health and comfort here

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

do wisely, for the lake, though not large, is said by travelers to be one of the most picturesque in the country. The first person to put a sail-boat on the water was Capt .-- , who was known by the sobriquet of Capt. Bulky. This was many years ago ; so many, indeed, that the captain's real namehas been forgotten. Afterward, Ezekiel P. Pierce had a sail-boat built in 1857, and remodeled in 1860, which, sometimes manned by an experienced seaman, was used more or less by sailing parties for several years. Near the original en- tance to the lake, at the southwest part, is the " Lake House," a substantial stone building, erected in 1831, by Ezekiel P. Pierce, Sr., and for many years kept by him as a temperance hotel. It is still the residence of members of his family. In 1873 the Prospect House was built by John W. Herrick, of Keene, designed for the accommodation of persons who came to the lake seeking health or recreation, and of which A. R. Mason is now proprietor. Here also are the picnic grounds of George W. Darling, furnished with cottages, dining-hall, skating rink, dancing pavilion, etc. In 1874 John W. White com- menced building his boat-house, etc., on the southern shore of the lake, and finished it the following year. On this shore, and on the western shore, are extensive picnic grounds, which are well patronized. At the latter, Lucius Thatcher, proprietor of the Chesterfield house, has a large stable for horses lodging-house, restaurant, dance-pavilion, etc. But one of the greater at- tractions on the lake is the little steamboat " Enterprise." This was built by its present owner, John W. White, and was launched July 3, 1876. The model of this trim little craft was drafted by D. J. Lawlor, of East Boston, Mass., and her builders, on the shore of the lake were Stephen G. and Ed- ward McLeod, navy-yard employees. Her length is forty feet, breadth of beam fifteen feet, depth of hold four feet, draft twenty-eight inches, diame- ter of propeller-wheel thirty-two inches, her build being rather for comfort and safety than speed. Her carrying capacity is about 125 persons, though she has carried as many as 150.

Early settlers on or near the shores of the lake were one Ladd, near the northwest shore, hence the name of Ladd's meadow, one by the name of Jewell, on the "Charlier place," giving the name Jewell's point, a Mr. Reed, who settled near the east shore, in the vicinity of Reed's cove, Capt. John Pierce, who set- tled on the southwest side, purchasing section No. 12, which lot included Pierce's Island, hence Pierce's Island and Picnic Point. The first of the pretty private cottages which now peep out from among the trees on its pleasant shores was built by Azor Marshall, of Brattleboro, about 1877, on the northeast , shore. About two years later he built another, on the east side, south of the channel on the Cliff rock. The other cottages are those built by Col. L. K. Fuller, A. Clinton Brooks, Davenport and Eddy, Romazo Crissey, Sanford Smith (on the Island), J. W. White (also on the Island). Soon after building his cottage, Col. Fuller placed upon the lake the little steam yacht " Rocket,', for the use of his family and friends, and Sanford Smith has now a fine little steamer. That Spafford lake is one of the smiles upon the rugged face of

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD

nature, must be admitted by all who have had the pleasure of spending a day upon its shimmering surface and gravelly beach, while to those who have not been thus blessed, the accompanying engraving thereof will bear testimony that the verdict is not unjust.

Geologically, the rocks of Chesterfield belong principally to the Coos group, and consist of quartzine, gneiss, mica-slate, mica-schist, hornblende rock and conglomerate. Porphyritic gneiss exists to a considerable extent in the south- eastern part of the town. No minerals of importance have been found, ex- cept iron in small quantities on Wantastiquet mountain.

In 1880 Chesterfield had a population of 1, 173 souls. In 1884 it had fourteen school districts and fourteen schools, one of which was graded. Its fourteen school buildings, including sites, furniture, etc., were valued at $6,615.00. There were 218 pupils in these schools, twenty-two of whom were pursuing the higher branches, taught by two male and nineteen female teachers, the former at an average monthly salary of $37.50 and the latter $21.43. The entire amount of revenue for school purposes during the year was $1,790.62, and the entire expense $1,799.71, with H. B. Morgan and A. E. Hill, committee.

CHESTERFIELD is a delightful little post village located in the central part of the town. It has two churches (Congregational and Methodist Episcopal), one store, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, town-hall, and about thirty dwell- ings. Here also was located the celebrated Chesterfield Academy. This institution was incorporated under the laws of the state, by an act passed in 1790. The school was soon after opened and was one of the most flourish- ing institutions of the kind in the county for a period of over a half century, An academy building was erected in 1794, on the southeastern part of the common. It was a two-story structure and did service until April 9, 1859, when it was destroyed by fire. During the same year a new building was erected, by school district No. 5 and the trustees of the academy, and is that now occupied by the graded school.

CHESTERFIELD FACTORY is a busy post village located on the outlet of the lake. It has one church, two stores, one hotel, a village hall, brush- handle factory, bit and auger factory, sash and blind factory, pail factory, grist-mill, wagon shop, shingle-mill, wheel-head and spinning-wheel shop, a steam saw-mill, blacksmith shop, and about seventy-five dwellings. The village hall was built in 1868, at a cost of about $2,500. A portion of the funds were raised by subscription, but when completed a debt of $1,600 re- mained, about $1,000 of which has since been paid by the Ladies' Union So- ciety. The hall is fitted with appropriate scenery for producing dramatic plays.

WEST CHESTERFIELD is a post village located in the western part of the town near the Connecticut. It has one church (Union), one store, two saw- mills, a box-stock factory, two grist-mills, two blacksmith shops, a village-hall,. and about twenty dwellings.

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

Spafford brook is an outlet from the easterly shore of Spafford lake. The waters from the " channel," which flow easterly, take a southeasterly course. crossing the main road near George Hamilton's sash and blind shop. Passing Currier Bros. bit manufactory, it takes an abrupt turn northward, again crossing the main road near Fred Pierce's brush handle shop, descending and curving around the southeastern portion of Mt. Pistareen, through a deep glen. Holt's brook unites with this stream from the south, into the " Bit-

(MOUNT PISTAREEN AND GLEN, LOOKING TOWARDS WESTMORELAND.)

shop " pond ; Gilson brook comes down a deep gorge and is bridged over in the eastern part of the village, entering Spafford brook near Bradford Farr's grist-mill ; Wild brook, running through Mr. Fowler's farm, is also a tribu- tary of this stream, and the whole finds admission into the Connecticut, near the county farm, in Westmoreland. Upon these waters the industries of Factory Village, mainly depend, and, if they were fully utilized, would form a large manufacturing field. In this connection, indeed, it is a trueism that a major- ity of the manufactories of the past, here have prospered. The first right upon the stream was a saw and grist-mill, built about the year 1800, near the present residence of George Fletcher. The purchase of this privilege secures to the sash and blind shop of George Hamilton (formerly a cotton factory), the first right upon the stream. The different manufacturing stands have been occupied by different owners and companies, some of them as early as 1787. Some of the manufacturing enterprises, however, are among the in- dustries of the past. Among these might be mentioned, cloth-dressing, and an iron foundry. Powder was also made here by a Baptist minister named Wilber, on the west side of the ravine, where Sidney Campbell has. for many years, made wheel-heads. The making of wheel-heads has been a large and profitable business, conducted by different firms, and is still a paying indus-

Алеся . печея 1

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

try. The tanning and finishing of leather, where Hershal Fowler has the last year made pails, was, for two-thirds of a century, a leading pursuit ; and it was a recognized fact that leather there finished, by Sumner Warren, was of a better quality than any entering Boston market. The supposed reason for this superiority was the purity of the water used in its manufacture. The fall of the brook, the first one-half mile from the outlet, is 150 feet. There are nine water privileges in this distance, and one below.

Currier Brothers' bit and auger factory .- In 1836 or '37, Richardson & Huggins commenced the manufacture of boring instruments, at Factory Vil- lage, in what was originally the old meeting-house of the east parish of West- moreland. It was purchased by Benjamin and Gilman Farwell, who took it to pieces and removed it to its present location, intending it for some kind of factory, when it was purchased by Richardson & Huggins. In 1851 Barton Skinner bought the factory and carried on the same business for Benjamin Pierce, who furnished the stock, etc. In 1853, however, he purchased the factory, and refitted it. For many years he conducted a large business, employ- ing a number of hands and producing yearly a large number of bits, augers and other boring tools. He also manufactured spinning and flax wheels and wheel-heads, employing, during the war, fifty hands. In July, 1882, he sold the bit auger business to the present firm, and since 1870 his son, Fred B., has manufactured the other line of goods for him, Mr. Pierce attending to the sales, etc. Currier Brothers came from Newburyport, Mass., taking possession of the bit shop July 19, 1882, where they manufacture auger, car and machine bits, carpenter's and boring-machine augers, Lake, German, and gimlet bits. The works are driven by water-power. Capacity, 175,000 bits, augers and gimlets-in raw material, twenty-five tons- yearly. They employ twenty-five men. Their goods are mostly sold in the Western states. Since coming into possession of the shop they have put in a new Humphrey wheel, and other improved machinery, doing their work with less help than formerly.

Fred B. Pierce's brush-handle factory, at Factory Village, was established by him in 1875. He employs about thirty hands in the manufacture of brush-handles, using the water-power and doing a business of about $25,- 000.00 per year.

J. H. Goodrich's steam saw-mill .- In 1872 seven men formed themselves into a company known as the Steam Power Company, and erected at Factory Village a large stearn saw-mill. In 1878 this mill was burned. The prop- erty was then bought and the mill rebuilt by J. H. Goodrich and his brother George. They continued the business until the death of the latter, February 15, 1884, since which time it has been operated by J. H. The mill has facil- ities for sawing 10,000 feet of lumber per day, and gives employment to six men.

George L. Hamilton's sash, door and blind factory, at Factory Village, was established in 1868, and occupies what is known as the old cotton factory

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

building. He employs twelve hands and døes a business of about $6,000.00 per annum.

Oliver J. Butterfield's saw-mill, located on road 6, was built in 1882. He manufactures lumber, shingles, pail-stock, box-boards, etc.

William W. Ford's grist and cider-mill is located at West Chesterfield. The grist-mill has one run of stones, and the cider-mill the capacity for turn- ing out ten barrels of cider per day. Mr. Ford also manufactures wagons and sleighs and carries on a general repair business.

W. W. Farr's grist and saw mill is located at West Chesterfield. The grist-mill has one run of stones and the saw-mill the capacity for sawing 5,000 feet of lumber per day, having also a planer and general job shop.

O. R. Farr's box stock factory, at West Chesterfield, was built in 1875, by Ransom Farr, and was bought by the present proprietor in 1877. He man- ufactures box-stock and extension tables, employing ten men.

Bradford C. Farr's grist-mill, on road 6, has one run of stones and the capacity for grinding 200 bushels of grain per day.

Fowler & Buxton's wagon and carriage factory is located a Factory Vil- lage.

Ira P. Buxton's cider-mill, at Factory village, turns out about 200 barrels of cider per annum.

Arthur M. Davis's cider-mill, on road 27, has the capacity for turning out about ten barrels of cider per day.

Butler Brothers' saw-mill. located in the southern part of the town, cuts about 5,000 feet of lumber per day. The firm also manufactures shingles and cloth-boards, employing four men.

Little is known of the grantees of the town, though some of them were grantees of other townships and took a more or less important part in public affairs. Josiah Willard, the principal grantee, was the son ot Josiah Willard. The latter was born in Lancaster, Mass., in 1693, and was a prominent com- mander of the forces engaged in protecting the frontier settlements, and was, at the time of his death, December 8, 1750, in command of Fort Dummer. His son, Major Josiah, was his successor. He afterward attained the rank of Colonel, and for many years was a resident of Winchester. Owing to the loss of the proprietors' records, also, nothing is known concerning their meet- ings or of the business transacted by them. They, however, failed to comply with the requirements of ther charter within the specified time (five years), and were obliged to ask for an extension of time. This was granted them June 11, 1760.

During the following year, 1761, the first settlement was commenced. On the 20th of February, Moses Smith, " of Hinsdale," purchased of Oliver Willard, of Brattleboro, one whole right or share in the new township, and in the following November, either on the 15th or 25th, came up the Connecticut with his son-in-law, William Thomas, to begin the settlement of the wilder- ness town. Both men brought their families with them, Smith's, so far as

TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.

known, consisting of himself and wife, Elizabeth, and his sons, Aaron, Moses, Amos, Joseph, Benjamin and Reuben. Of these, Aaron, the oldest, was twenty-one years old, and Reuben, the youngest, but about three years old. Thomas's family probably consisted of only himself and wife, Mary, daughter of Moses Smith. Smith built his cottage about fifty rods north of that now occupied by his great-grandson, George, on road I, and a few rods east of the highway, which at this point runs near the bank of the river. The site of the cabin is still plainly marked by a depression in the plain. Thomas erected his cabin near the river bank about a mile and a half below Smith's " pitch." It stood a few rods east of the lower ferry, and a few feet north of the presesent highway leading easterly from the same. Its site is still marked by a depression in the earth, and a mound adjoining the depresssion on its eastern side. This mound consists, in great part, of ashes and charcoal. On the 25th of April, 1762, Thomas's wife gave birth to the first white child born in the town, which was named Mary.

In the spring of 1762, the settlement was increased by the arrival of Capt. Simon Davis and Abel Emmons, and sometime during the year, Peter Wheeler and John Snow. At the taking of the first census, in 1767, the settlement had increased to 365 inhabitans. Among these were Ephriam Baldwin, Jonathan Cobleigh, Nathan Thomas, Daniel Farr, Samuel Farr, Jonathan Farr, Jr., Timothy Ladd, Eleazer Cobleigh, Silas Thompson, Na- thaniel Bingham, Asa Thompson, Jonas Davis, Ebenezer Davison, Thomas Emmons, Jonathan Samuel Hildreth, James Robertson and James Wheeler, most of whom had families.

The settlers who came in during the first two or three years of 1761, appeared to have located, for the most part, in the western and central portions of the town; but, by the year 1770, they seem to have been pretty evenly distrib- uted over its territory, except in the easternmost parts of the same. As nearly as can be ascertained there were very few settlers in the southeast quarter of the town previous to 1780, especially in that part known as "Hardscrabble." From about 1780 to 1805, however, numerous settlers came into that quarter, which, in spite of its ruggedness and rockiness, has produced some of the town's best citizens. The "New Boston " district, which may be roughly defined as comprising the upper-half of the valley of Leavitt's brook, was partially settled before 1770. It appears to have pos- sessed its maximum number of inhabitants, between 1790 and 1800. A set- tlement was established at an early date on Streeter hill, which had for many years quite a numerous population. Even the " Dish Land," which lies north of Streeter hill, was once partially occupied by settlers.

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Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 11

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034