History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 116

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

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Elder Daniel Elkins lived on the place now occupied by Ira R. Harriman. By his first wife he had Polly (Mrs. David Gould) ; by the second, a sister of Daniel Gray, Daniel, Joseph, Granville, Rebecca (Mrs Asa Davis), Joanna (Mrs John T. Lucy), Eunice (Mrs James C. Trickey), Ruth (second wife of James C. Trickey). Granville Elkins died June 21, 1889, aged eighty-four years. He was a prominent citizen, always interested in the welfare of the town. "At the last annual town-meeting his trembling voice was heard making a move for the promotion of temperance. He leaves two sons and one daughter, W. E. Elkins and . Mrs G. H. Davis, of this town, and Albert Elkins, of Stowe, and one sister, Mrs Susan Gray, now in Lisbon, the only one remaining of the large family of Rev. Daniel Elkins."

Spencer Wentworth came from Meredith in or near 1816, and located on the Carter Notch road where Warren C., his son, resides. He was a tall, dignified person, of solid New England attributes and virtues, firm as the hills in his convictions and thoroughly independent in his actions. A stalwart Whig, his is said to have been the one vote cast against the change of the name of the town from Adams to Jackson. Austere and apparently severe in demeanor, he yet had a cordiality and fund of wit and story for those who were his close friends. Among his children were these residents of Jackson : Charles B. (born April 27, 1801); Samuel H. (born April 27, 1805); Lydia H. (born June 8, 1809, married Daniel Smith ; in 1851 moved to Lancaster) ; Warren C. (born October 8, 1833). Lowell M., of Bartlett, and Ira H. E., of Jackson, are sons of Samuel H. and Hannah (Gray) Wentworth. Besides General M. C. Wentworth (see biography), the children of William H. H. and Mary (Clark) Wentworth are: Frances E. (married Robert Fowle, and lives in Sioux City, Iowa); Sewell F., of Parker, Dakota (has one son, Paul) ; Luceba W. (married J. Colman Trickey, and lives in Whitefield).

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TOWN OF JACKSON.

Rev. Jonathan Gale was born in Jamaica, Windham County, Vermont, April 20, 1820. He possessed a strong religious temperament and became a preacher at such an early age that he was called the "boy preacher." In April, 1839, he preached his first sermon, and half a century later, April, 1889, he preached on the fiftieth anniversary in Jackson. He married Caroline Persis Staples, of Londonderry. Their surviving children are : Francis Asbury and Caroline P. (Mrs C. C. Pendexter). Mrs Gale died August, 1847, and Mr Gale married, in 1848, Mrs Catharine C. (Johnson) Pinkham. Their children are : Cyrus E., Kate J. (Mrs David Wakefield), Fred H., George E., J. Hubert. In 1850 Mr Gale located and became a resident of Jackson, settling on a farm. He preaches frequently, and is often called upon to per- form marriage and funeral services. He is a Methodist Episcopal in religion, a Democrat in politics, and has been a most useful member of society. About six years ago he moved to Bartlett, where he resides at Maple Villa.

One of the leading families of Dundee, so called from its resemblance to the scenery around the Scotch Dundee, is that of Hodge. James Hodge, a native of Newmarket, who died not long ago in his ninety-first year, came to Jackson over fifty years ago. He had one son, John, and two daughters, Mrs Jonathan Pitman, of Bartlett, and Mrs Frank Guptill, of Chatham. John Hodge has been a valuable citizen, and filled official positions with conceded ability. He has been selectman, representative, county commissioner, and is highly esteemed by his townsmen.

Dr Daniel Dinsmore, born about 1800, was a student of Dr Alexander Ramsay, and commenced practice about 1830 in Conway. He married a daughter of Elisha Mudgett, and, later, settled in "Dundee," where he devoted himself mostly to farming. His abilities are said to have been good, and his skill more than ordinary. His son, Elisha M., is a farmer on the farm in Dundee.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

The First Schoolhouse - Early Teachers - School Surroundings, etc. - Freewill Baptist Church - Rev. Daniel Elkins and Other Pastors - The Protestant Chapel Association - Tem- perance - Libraries - Manufacturing and Merchants - Hotels - Centennial Celebration - Civil List - Action of Town in the Rebellion - Character of the People - Glen Ellis Falls.

HE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE, according to D. C. Pinkham, was located near the house of William Copp, son of Benjamin. It was built in 1806. and was a one-story building. The desks and benches were arranged on an inclined plane, and were so high that the children's heads could just be seen over the desks, and their feet did not reach the floor by six or eight inches. A brick fireplace at one side of the room served for heating purposes. The " master's " desk was on an elevated platform surrounded by a strong railing. On entering and leaving the room every scholar was required to face the school and make a polite bow, and to give the same salutation to all persons passing them at recess or on their way to and from school. Prior to the build- ing of this first educational structure, a barn furnished a cool and well- ventilated room for the summer school, and a room in some dwelling-house the place for the winter term. The schoolhouse was used for church purposes, except on Quarterly Meeting occasions, when the barn was again brought into requisition. A platform was erected across one end of the floor for the preacher's stand, while the bay, "tie-ups," and scaffolds furnished scarcely sufficient room to seat the people who came from all directions, and sometimes from a great distance, to attend those meetings. Abel Crawford and wife were usually of the number. The last barn used for such a purpose was owned by Daniel Pinkham. The inhabitants fully realized the importance of good schools, and endeavored to secure good teachers, and among them, Miss C. E. Meserve says, were Rev. Benjamin Willey, Dr Caleb Eastman. of Conway, Jonathan Gilman, of Sandwich, Betsey and Keziah Eastman, of Conway. These, with others equally as meritorious, laid a good foundation, for after a number of years Jackson was not only able to supply her own schools with teachers, but those of the adjoining towns. Cyrus F. Pinkham, grandson of Captain Joseph Pinkham, was prominent among these, both in the public and Sabbath schools. Then there were from sixty to one hundred scholars in the schools, now there is but a small fraction of that number. Miss C. E. Meserve is one of the ablest and most successful of the teachers of recent years.

Mr Pinkham says of the school surroundings and life of the days of his school life : -

From the well near William Copp's house we drew the water we drank at school. Beneath the eaves of his barn were suspended long rows of swallows' nests, skilfully constructed of

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mud and straw with an opening at one side for the ingress and egress of their occupants. At these nests we threw clubs and stones for amusement. Near the barn was a small frog-pond, where we delighted to stand and watch the appearance of a frog's head, that we might pelt him with clubs and stones. Just back of my father's house was an orchard, and near it on the opposite side of the road was the mill-yard where we went for spruce gum. Hurricane hill had its charms, affording us, in wet weather, a water-power to turn our miniature wheels. Crossing an old-fashioned string-bridge, we came to David Bassett's, where was the cider-mill for the neighborhood. In this mill, from the apples gathered from his orchard, my father usually made yearly from fifteen to twenty barrels of cider. which found a ready market during the winter, at retail without pay. around the comfortable kitchen fire in his house. None of the cider was ever sold. That kitchen was the only place of resort for the men coming from different parts of the town for a grist at the mill, for a little blacksmithing, or to learn the news, and the family could seldom get access to the fire during the day. Cider- drinking and story-telling was the only stoek in trade for these assemblies; though cider was so freely used, it was not considered intoxicating. My father never would have intoxicating drink used about his house.

Freewill Baptist Church. - As early as January 24, 1800, ten persons were baptized by Elder Daniel Elkins, of Gilmanton (who soon after moved here), and two by Elder Jackson, also of Gilmanton. Rev. Benjamin G. Willey says " there was a church formed in 1803." Monthly meetings were regularly held from 1800. on the first Saturday of each month. alternately at the North and South schoolhouses, where they worshiped on the Sabbath in the same order, holding forenoon and afternoon meetings.1 In 1825, according to these records, an organization took place with sixty-six members, under Elder Daniel Elkins, Elder Daniel Pinkham, Deacon James Trickey, and Deacon Benjamin Copp as leaders. Elder Daniel Elkins was regarded as pastor for nearly forty years. Rev. B. G. Willey thus describes him : " He was an honest, good man, and labored much and successfully for the good of the church and town. Nor were his labors confined to these alone ; for years he was a sort of bishop in all the region ; although his pretensions to learning were small, yet he seldom failed to interest those truly learned by his honest simplicity and meekness." Elder Samuel Hazelton, who became a resident of Jackson about 1829, aided in pastoral work for ten years, preaching part of the day on the Sabbath. Elder Hazelton was a very devoted Christian : his prayers are remembered as being very fervent. From his lips and his kind, sympathizing heart came the impres- sive words which were said over the bodies of those that perished in the Willey slide.

Rev. Mr Scribner, in his history of the Freewill Baptist churches, writes that " in 1840 a revival spirit commenced which added thirty-six members to this church that year, six in 1841, and the wonderful record of seventy-five in 1843." In 1841 Elder Dudley Pettengill became pastor and served for about three years. (See page 680.) In 1845 Elder Silas Gaskill served the church as pastor, and his pastorate continued during 1846 and 1847. Rev. George H.

1 In 1827, Dr Ramsey, of North Conway, organized the first Sabbath-school.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Pinkham commenced to preach here in 1849, and continued his ministry about four years, during which time he was ordained. Elder Ansel J. Wood was chosen pastor April 7, 1855, and continued for three years. About twenty conversions are reported. In 1860 Elder John Pettengill, Jr, commenced a pastorate of two years. February 2, 1867, Elder Jonathan M. Smith succeeded him and remained two years. Rev. Charles Hurlin came in 1871 from Madison to Jackson to take this pastorate, and continued five years. He removed to Fort Jackson, St Lawrence county, N. Y., where he was in charge of the Fort Jackson and North Lawrence Freewill Baptist churches until his death in August, 1877, aged sixty-nine. "He was a good man and held in much esteem." Elder Jonathan Woodman came in the latter part of 1879, and was here for a year. He was a veteran in the Master's service, and although he had attained his fourscore years and more, he was very active and did much pastoral work. His successor was Rev. C. T. D. Crockett, who commenced his labors in the spring of 1881 and was here until March 17. 1888. Eleven mem- bers were united by baptism to the church during his stay, and by the aid of summer visitors the house of worship and the parsonage were thoroughly repaired. Rev. Lemuel A. Jones, the present pastor, to whose kindly courtesy we are indebted for extracts from the church records, took charge of this people June 17, 1888. He was born in China, Maine ; resided in Chelsea, Mass., for eleven years ; was ordained at Effingham Falls, June 9, 1883, remained there two years, and during this time his faithful labors brought forth good fruit, seven members being added to the church; he was later pastor at Leighton's Corners for some years. The present number of resident members is sixty-six, nine having been added in Mr Jones's pastorate : there are twenty-eight non-resident members. The Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition, and holds its sessions through the winter.

The Protestant Chapel Association was organized to build and maintain a house of worship at the village, and was composed of these members : Cyrus F. Pinkham, George P. Meserve, John F. Gerrish, Daniel G. Smith, Joseph Elkins, Rufus U. Pinkham, Granville Elkins, William Eastman, John Gray, Joseph Hoit, John P. Meserve, Andrew J. Meserve, N. P. Meserve, Joseph B. Trickey, John L. Dearborn, Ozem Davis, Levi D. Rogers, Joseph Trickey, John K. Hall, Samuel Gray. The first officers were: George P. Meserve, president ; Rufus U. Pinkham, clerk ; John F. Gerrish, Granville Elkins, J. B. Trickey, directors. The little church, with a seating capacity of two hundred and twenty-five, was built by this association at a cost of over one thousand dollars, and is free for the religious services of all evangelical Protestant churches in good standing. The Free Baptists hold regular meetings here, the old church of their denomination, which was built at an early date some distance above the village, having long since gone to ruin. The officers now are : J. B. Trickey, president; Ira R. Harriman, clerk ; Warren G. Gray, Chase B. Perkins, J. B. Trickey, directors.

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TOWN OF JACKSON.

Temperance. - The inhabitants have always been noted for their sobriety, industry, and intelligence. Although far removed from those advantages that outwardly refine and polish civilized life, many are resting here in their last long sleep who possessed truly noble and refined natures ; and Jackson can claim many as her sons and daughters who have done and are still doing much true and useful labor in various avocations and whose names will even reflect high honor upon the place of their nativity. Few towns in this region were so early in temperance movements. January 1, 1833, a temperance society was formed, and John Chesley, Joshua Trickey, Joseph Trickey, Augustus F. Hodgdon, and Cyrus F. Pinkham were chosen a committee to draft a constitution and rules of discipline. To this constitution two hundred and ten persons subscribed, and regular meetings were held until 1837. In 1842 this society was reorganized as the Jackson Total Abstinence Society, one hundred and thirty becoming members. This society held meetings until 1845. March 6, 1850, a temperance society was organized which attained a membership of one hundred. The moving spirits of these different organizations were Cyrus F. Pinkham, N. C. Trickey, and Rev. G. H. Pinkham.

Jackson has ever been a reading community. The Jackson Social Library was incorporated in 1827 and existed for some years. The Jackson Public Library was organized in this wise. The friends of General Wentworth were accustomed to remember his birthday by a present, generally of books. In 1879 the general suggested that it form a nucleus for a town library. The suggestion was adopted, and Mr John K. Porter, a gentleman of Boston who had passed much time here, at once took great interest in forming a library ; himself did much, and interested others. As the result of his earnest labors, the library contains 1,660 bound volumes, and many pamphlets, etc. A room was placed at its disposal in the town hall, where it is kept. Summer visitors have been very generous in their contributions. The trustees are General M. C. Wentworth, Charles H. Hurlin, Cyrus E. Gale ; librarian, Josephine G. Trickey.

Manufacturing and Merchants. - Little attention has been given to manu- facturing, and that little has been followed by small remuneration. The old grist and small saw mills were more matters of neighborhood convenience than investments, and long ago were abandoned. N. T. Stillings built a starch factory at the village about twenty years ago, but it was operated but a short time. About fifteen years ago Tolman & Kinsman asked assistance to estab- lish a clothes-pin manufactory, and the town aided it to the extent of $20,000. A large business was done for some time, but the enterprise proved a bad investment ; Meserve, Gale & Ames ran it for awhile, and it was discontinued and the plant put to other uses. George Abbott has used it as a manufactory of dowels, broomsticks, etc., and it was burned recently.

960

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

The iron ore on Iron Mountain is seventy-five per cent. pure iron, and blasts as easily as common stone. Thirty years ago a road was made to the top of the lower mountain to facilitate the transportation of the ore, and after the railroad ran through Bartlett another was built on that side, and mining operations commenced. The great ironmasters of England, Sanderson & Co., took fifty tons to their works and from it made the best qualities of iron and steel. They offered $60,000 for the property, but $100,000 was asked, no sale was made, and work soon ceased.1 There is probably no place where charcoal iron could be made more cheaply or more plentifully, and in some future day it will doubtless be utilized. The first tin discovered in this country was found here by Dr Jaekson in 1840. In 1843, eleven and one-half ounces of ingot tin were made from the ore. The American Tin Company was incorpo- rated in 1864, and expended thousands of dollars in unremunerative mining.

The first merchant was Andrew Chesley; following him were the Pink- hams, the Trickeys, N. T. Stillings & Co., C. H. Hurlin & Co. Those now in trade are Charles H. Hurlin 2 and H. W. Harmon. Mr Hurlin, son of Rev. Charles Hurlin, came to Jackson in 1878 from England, and engaged in trade in the small store adjoining the large one he built in 1886, where he is now in business. H. W. Harmon was a partner from 1883 to 1886. He is now in trade in the store opposite the Glen Ellis House. He is a native of Madison.

HOTELS. - From the time that eminent artists made known the loveliness of Jackson it has been a favorite resort of summer tourists. In 1847 Mr Boardman came from New York city and engaged in making sketches. He boarded at the farmhouse of Captain Joshua Trickey. Then came Clark, Geary, Hoit, Brackett, with their friends and families, and Maple Cottage, as the farmhouse had been christened, was enlarged. The tide of mountain travel began to move in the direction of Pinkham Notch. Coaches to and from Glen House stopped at the village for dinner, first at Captain Trickey's and then at J. B. Trickey's. Maple Cottage being wholly inadequate to accommodate those who wished to stop here, the Thorn Mountain House was built in 1869.3

Wentworth Hall. - In this lovely little valley walled in by mountains with green foot-hills at their base, distant peaks, more intensely blue than the skies above them, is situated this most charming of hostelries. Washington, nowhere less obtrusive than here, like Carter Notch, is only to be seen from certain view points, but the Giants' Stair and Mote Mountain are inseparable from the landscape. Two rivers meet in the valley, one calm and peaceful, having spent its passion ten miles back in a fall of seventy

1 Report of Portland & Ogdensburgh R. R.

2 lle married Alice, daughter of Henry Wiggin.

" A slage tavern was built on the site of the Thorn Mountain House just before the war by Mr Shaw, who soon sold to Horace Goodrich, son of the old pioneer Jeremiah, of Goodrich Falls fame. This was burned during the war.

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TOWN OF JACKSON.

feet, the other coming down the slope in a series of leaps - a veritable Wildcat. On the left shore of this river, just where the valley is most green and sightly, twenty years ago the Thorn Mountain House was opened by a happy young couple who looked out over a future life radiant with success. They were not dreamers, but wideawake, practical people. They were "to the manner born" as hosts, knew how to treat guests with that pleasant courtesy due from landlord to guest, and had odd, poetic ideas about æsthetic effects and harmony and beauty of adornment and decoration. These were unknown qualities to the oldtime mountain landlords, and they shook their heads and predicted failure to the "new departure." But guests came to the Thorn Mountain House, were made happy, and came again with others. The " new departure " was popular in its infancy. Years passed. In 1881 the first flower of the growing plant developed. Arden Cottage it was called. Very tasteful was its architec- ture and adornments, and the proprietor's heart seemed not less full of goodwill to his guests than were the fireplaces in the new cottage in good cheer and hospitality. Simultaneous with the new building, the host provided means for bringing water for the use of his guests and to beautify his lawns from the Falls above. The public gave solid testimony to their appreciation of these additions and improvements. The "new departure " was a brilliant success. In 1883 General Wentworth once more gave form to his conceptions of an ideal hotel in building Wentworth Hall, which reproduces the solid comfort, artistic effects, and picturesque beauty of an English manorial hall of Queen Anne's days. Again conservatives were confounded. By this time that true proof of successful originality had been awarded to the proprietors. Imitators had come into the field, and struggles were made to climb to where these bold "innovators " had stood long ago. Wentworth Hall was also a "new departure " in name, con- struction, and elaboration of detail. It was a home where wealth and culture and art found all their pleasant accessories of enjoyment. Osgood says : " This hotel has running water, good drainage, telephone, telegraph, electric bells, steam heat, livery stable, tennis-court, croquet lawn, dance- room, open fireplaces in all public rooms, 650 feet of piazzas, magnificent dining-hall, tables supplied from hotel-farm." In 1885 the demand for accommodation was so great that even the facilities of the two large build- ings and cottage were insufficient, and two more dreams of beauty were created in 1885 and named Thornycroft and Glen-Thorne. In 1886 Elm- wood cottage was built, and in 1887 the new stables. These, for beauty and symmetry of architecture, completeness of arrangement, and comfort for horses and attendants, are unsurpassed. There are accommodations for eighty horses. General Wentworth has a great love for horses, takes pride in his livery, and, like a true gentleman, cares tenderly for its comfort.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Wentworth Hall is of noticeably symmetrical outlines and harmonious tints. Approached from Glen Station, we first descry the pyramidal roof of the tall central turret, which is lighted by stained windows and surmounted by a brass bannerette, graven with initials and date of erection. Then we see the proportionate gables, the red-and-gold and pale-green of the exterior and the lofty chimney. As we draw nearer we observe the fancy-cut belts of shingles, the long large windows and broad piazzas. Particularly beauti- ful is the display of flowers in the grounds. Especial care is taken with this, and the flowers seem to know it and to smile the brighter in return. But to particularize and mention the establishment in detail is beyond our province. It is unsurpassed for elegance and convenience in the White Mountains, and is open from June 1 to October 15, and entertains two hundred and fifty guests.1

Jackson Falls House. - This was opened by Joseph B. Trickey in 1858, and that season entertained seventy guests. It has been kept in the steady line of advance from the first, and with its pleasant surroundings, open fireplaces, its facilities for heating and rendering comfortable its rooms in chilly days, the excellent cuisine, and attentive service will ever be popular. It has always been an exceedingly well-kept house, justly celebrated for the kindly hospitality extended to all and its healthful surroundings. George and Will Trickey, the proprietors, keep the standard of achievement in harmony with that set at first by their father, whose pleasant conversation and courtesy adds much to the homelike feeling of the place. There always seems to be room for other guests no matter how large the number entertained.

Iron Mountain House. - The first house of this name was opened in 1861 by James M. Meserve, and gained an enviable reputation. In the spring of 1877 it was destroyed by fire originating in a burning chimney. The new, commo- dious, and picturesque Iron Mountain House, built in 1884, was opened in 1885 by J. M. Meserve and sons. There is a sweet sense of seclusion and quiet here, as if the untrodden solitudes stretched everywhere about unbroken by man's intrusion, and it is an admirable place in which to rest and recuperate. Under the management of W. A. Meserve both patrons and proprietors are abundantly satisfied.

Gray's Inn was built by Charles W. Gray, the present owner, with the view of making a comfortable, healthy, and pleasant summer resort. It was opened entirely new, in July, 1885. The rooms are large, well lighted, and well ven- tilated. The house is supplied with the best spring water through iron pipes. The drainage is first-class. It stands on a high elevation, overlooking the village and commanding a magnificent view of the famous Jackson Falls. It is the only hotel in the town from whose broad piazzas on three sides can be

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 116

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124