USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 43
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The library was to be kept on the main road in the southwest part of the town, between the dwellings of William Guppy and Samuel Meder. Subse- quently the price of a share in the library was raised to three dollars, although two dollars was the more common price. The annual tax varied from thirty- four to twelve and one-half cents, and was finally fixed at twenty cents. The persons who signed the constitution and became members of the society were Daniel Brewster, Jr, Isaiah Horn, Samuel Nowell, Jonathan Blake, Henry Horn, William Chamberlain, Andrew Lucas, William Mallard, Samuel Mason, Andrew Wiggin, James Wiggin, Benjamin Young, William C. Warren, Jacob
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Folsom, Widow Annah Fullerton, Elijah Estes, George Brewster, John L. Piper, John Piper, James Hersey, Levi Tibbetts, David Copp, Benjamin Horne, Neal Cate, James Fullerton, Andrew Wiggin, Jr, Henry Wiggin, Ebenezer Meder, Jr. Samuel G. Piper, William Guppy, David Piper, William Fullerton, Samuel Meder, Benjamin Blake, Samuel Fox, William Copp, Samuel Johnson, Stephen W. Horn, William Rogers, Oliver Smith, Samuel Connor, James Connor, Jr, John Edmonds, Benning Brackett, Ichabod Libby, Jona- than Hersey, Thomas W. Chase, William Kent, Joshua Avery, Jesse Whittier, and Daniel Bassett. Ninety volumes, mostly historical works, were purchased, and, agreeably to the constitution, covered with leather.
In June of the same year the society was incorporated by the " name of the Proprietors of the Republican Social Library in Wolfborough," and Samuel Nowell and Jonathan Blake were authorized to call the first meeting of the proprietors. A meeting was accordingly called on the third day of the following September, and Isaiah Horn was chosen president; Samuel Meder, clerk ; John L. Piper, librarian and treasurer ; and Samuel Nowell, William Rogers, and George Brewster a committee of inspection. Mr Piper held the office of librarian until 1817. He was succeeded by Samuel Meder, who retained the office one year, and was in turn succeeded by George Nowell. The year following Richard Rust was chosen librarian. Mr Rust was elected three successive years, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas Rust, who held the office for twenty years, or until 1843, when George B. Farrar took his place. In 1845 Z. Batchelder was appointed librarian. In 1846 Joseph L. Avery was appointed to the office. About fifty persons became members of the association, exclusive of those who united with it at the time of its organization. It was justly regarded as a valuable institution in the beginning of the present century. W. C. Fox, Esq., was librarian for several of the last years of the existence of the library ; but as it received few additions it was but little used, and in 1888 it was sold at auction.
Brewster Free Academy.1-John Brewster, of Cambridge, Mass., gave the larger portion of his estate, amounting to more than one and a quarter millions, to a perpetual trust, and directed the trustees to pay annually to the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy, on certain conditions, the sum of $10,000 and one half the residue, after certain other annuities are paid. It is expected that the total amount will reach in time to more than $30,000.
The legislature of 1887 granted the institution a new charter, and changed the name to Brewster Free Academy. Under this charter the academy is governed by a board of eleven trustees, consisting of the trustees of the estate of John Brewster, the principal of the academy, and seven elective members chosen for seven years, one retiring annually. The present trustees are : -
1 By E. H. Lord, A.M.
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Trustees. - William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass., president; John L. Brewster, Lawrence, Mass., treasurer ; Arthur F. Estabrook, Boston, Mass., Edwin H. Lord, Wolfeborough, John K. Lord, Hanover, Charles U. Bell, Lawrence, Mass., secretary ; Jeremiah Smith, Dover, vice-president; Joseph L. Avery, Charles H. Parker, Albert W. Wiggin, Benjamin F. Parker, Wolfeborough.
The building and grounds of the old academy being inadequate to the needs of the school, a new site was purchased by the trustees, who selected a lot in the eastern portion of the village on the shore of the lake and con- taining nearly forty acres. A considerable sum has already been expended in laying out the grounds and putting in the foundation for the new building, which will probably be ready for use in 1890.
The school is now accommodated in the old academy building. The first session was opened September 12, 1887, with forty-seven scholars. The number has since increased to one hundred.
The teachers are : E. H. Lord, A.M., principal ; Lydia F. Remick, George C. Kimball, A.M., Alice S. Rollins, Helen M. Cobb, Fred H. Safford, B.S.
In accordance with the wish of Mr Brewster, that the school should be as nearly free as is consistent with its best interests, the trustees have voted that for the present tuition and textbooks shall be furnished free to all pupils. The requirements of admission are good moral character and such knowledge of the common school branches as is necessary for admission to the average New England high school.
Temperance .- For two generations from the settlement, intoxicating liquors were considered a necessity. Their moderate use was regarded as promotive of health and vigor; their misuse which led to inebriation was alone censured. It was the ambition of the early settlers to plant an orchard; and the first clearing was generally used for that purpose. In a few years cider became a common drink. The brown earthen pitcher filled with the home-made beverage well seasoned with bell-peppers seething on the hearthstone was grateful to the frosty woodman as he returned from his arduous toil. His attentive spouse had indeed provided him with a warm welcome. "A drink of cider " was usually proffered to the neighbors who made a social call; and when breaking paths through the snow the well-to-do farmers on the way were expected to stand treat for the whole company of laborers. Cider was not infrequently a table drink. But even before the orchards came to bearing, distilled liquors were very much in vogue. Little taverns were quite common, and the ability to furnish a glass of New England or West India rum, a bowl of toddy or a mug of flip, gave to the person the title of "taverner." Stores contained only a moderate quantity of the most essential necessaries of life, but all had a supply of intoxicating liquors.
With the general conviction that alcoholic liquors were healthful and
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invigorating, and with the facilities for obtaining them, it is not strange that they should have been in common use. The laborer expected his liquid as well as his solid rations. The daily allowance with ordinary toil was half a pint of rum at four drinks, one before breakfast as an appetizer, one at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and two in the afternoon. In the hay and grain harvest, when men were required to work from twelve to sixteen hours in a day, "grog" was generally furnished without restriction. At all public gatherings, as weddings, funerals, huskings, raisings, and the like, liquors were provided : clergymen did not deem it improper to take a drop before entering the sacred desk ; town officers at their business meetings drank at the public expense ; and even the housewife on washing-day imag- ined that a cheering dram strengthened her for her toil; the wily tradesman was ready to give a drink to his customer ; and, if he had a plethoric purse, would ply him with a second glass. A few examples will illustrate the habits of the times. Liquors were amply provided for the ordination of the town minister, Mr Allen. An innkeeper's bill for expenses of selectmen in 1781 reads thus : July, eight meals victuals, eight shillings; five bowls toddy, six shillings ; August, seven meals, seven shillings ; three bowls toddy, three shillings and eight pence ; November, four meals, four shillings; two bowls toddy, two shillings and seven pence. In 1796 another bill reads thus: for nine dinners, nine shillings ; for five mugs of cider, one shilling and eight pence. In 1801 another taverner charged $1.08 "for five pints of rum while perambulating town lines." In 1814, at a school meeting called for the purpose of making arrangements for building a schoolhouse, it was voted to purchase one gallon of brandy at expense of the district. Liquors were provided for military trainings. One year the bill for powder and rum exceeded forty dollars. Here is a bill of a private citizen for burying a panper in 1821 : " For digging a grave, $1.00; for a coffin, $1.50; for winding- sheet and other grave-clothes, $2.50 ; for trouble and attendance, $2.75; for spirits and candles, $2.00." The last charge was evidently a subterfuge.
At length it was discovered that the constant and almost universal prac- tice of using intoxicants was bringing resulting evils on the community. Estates were squandered, intellects beclouded, and physical vigor abated. Discerning persons perceived that there was too free indulgence in a good thing, and sought by repressive measures to bring the people back to a normal condition. As early as 1822, Nathaniel Rogers and others petitioned the town to discontinue the sale of spirituous liquors at the meeting-house on election days, but the town voted not to grant the prayer of the petitioners. In 1843 Mr Rogers presented a similar petition, but the town voted to post- pone the matter to the next town-meeting.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Temperance Society of Wolfeborough was organized in 1830. Its officers were Nathaniel Rogers, president; Benjamin
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T. Thompson, vice-president ; Thomas Rust, secretary and treasurer; Paul H. Varney, Charles Thurston, Jonathan Gale, William Thompson, and Jeremiah Conner, board of counsel. Any person could become a member by signing the constitution ; could leave it by presenting a written declaration of his reason for so doing, but, while a member, was required "at all times to abstain from the unnecessary use of ardent spirit," and it was his "bound duty to use his best endeavor for the suppression of intemperance." The board of counsel was directed to prosecute any "unlicensed retailer of ardent spirit." Any person violating the rules of the society was to be first admon- ished ; and if unrepentant, then to have his name stricken from the records, and be publicly posted "as an unworthy member of society." The members were also pledged to employ as laborers only temperate men. As no records of the doings of this organization are now extant, it is doubtful if it did much effective work; but the fact of its existence shows that the better class of citizens were beginning to consider the evils arising from the drinking habits of the people.
About 1833 a great temperance reform began in Wolfeborough. Lawyer, afterwards Judge, Kittredge came here on a lecturing tour. A society pro- hibiting the use of distilled liquors as a beverage was organized, and many of the people joined it. The largest dealer in town abandoned the sale of intoxicants. His example was soon followed by others, while some traders in the Bridge village continued to sell liquor, and at North Wolfeborough and South Wolfeborough it was also sold; but for many years liquors have not been sold at the latter place. I. W. Springfield, proprietor of the blanket factory in that village, has publicly advertised that he will not employ any one who uses intoxicating liquors. A few years after the first temperance reform, an advanced step was taken, and fermented as well as distilled liquors were prohibited by reformers. Continual progress in habits of sobriety was made, until the exciting questions which preceded the Rebellion absorbed public attention. The consequent decline of interest in temperance, the drinking habits acquired in the army, and the intense partisanship of political organ- izations since the war have all tended to retard temperance work, but the vote in March, 1889, on the amendment to the constitution providing for the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, showed a creditable public sentiment, the vote standing 256 for the amendment to 113 against it.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Mills and Manufactures - Early Stores and Traders -Taverns - Hotels - Summer Boarding Honses -Insurance Company - Banks - Physicians - Fatal Casualties - Fires - Societies - Brewster Memorial Hall - Present Business Interests - " Pen Picture "- Financial Condition.
m ILLS AND MANUFACTURES. - A gristmill was erected on Smith's river as early as the spring of 1771. This was done by A. R. Cutter and David Sewall. Probably George Meserve built a sawmill on the same stream in 1769. Cutter and Sewall no doubt improved the sawmill. . They were sole or part owners of these mills for many years. The mills have been repeatedly remodeled or rebuilt. Among the owners have been William Kent, Joseph Kent, Nathaniel Rogers, James Rogers, Stephen and Daniel Pickering, John M. Brackett, William Thompson, Moses Thompson, Blake Folsom, George W. Hersey, Winthrop D. Hersey, Luther G. Cate, William C. Thompson, Frank E. Hersey, Fred E. Hersey, Mrs E. G. Colby, and Mrs I. C. Thompson. The first person who had charge of the gristmill was Thomas Piper. John Lucas, Charles Stackpole, and Elisha Goodwin have been millers. At the same falls are situated the piano-stool factory of Lorenzo Horne and the furniture factory of William B. Hodge.
Existing débris shows that there was once a sawmill on the Wentworth farm. A few years after the settlement, Jonathan Lary built a sawmill on the largest tributary of Lake Wentworth. It was first known as Lary's, then Triggs', and now as Willey's mill. In 1818 nineteen farmers jointly built a sawmill higher up on the same stream, called at first the Tebbetts' and afterwards the Isaac Willey mill. At the same place Dudley Hardy had a small gristmill. On this same stream, which is the outlet of Batson's pond, there was also at one time a tannery, owned by Hezekiah Willand, and a shop with machinery, owned by Nathaniel Frost. Now Willey's mill alone utilizes its water-power.
On the Rye-Field brook Dudley Chamberlin once had a cornmill. William Kent and James Hersey erected a sawmill on the stream which is the outlet of Sargeant's pond, now known as Hersey brook. This mill was afterwards rebuilt by George W. Hersey. On the same stream John Lucas had a small gristmill. It was located near the present site of Stephen Durgin's farmhouse. William Kent built a sawmill on the Harvey brook, which was subsequently removed to Smith's river upper falls by Paul H. Varney, who erected in 1816 a woollen factory. This was burned in 1841. On
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its site Charles and Moses R. Warren erected a starch factory, which con- tinued in operation but a few years. There was also a tannery here.
The fall of water on Mink brook, the ontlet of Rust's pond at South Wolfe- borough, exceeds sixty feet, and at different times there has been considerable machinery on the stream : a gristmill, a sawmill, a shingle-mill, a chair factory, a pipe factory, a wool-carding and cloth-dressing establishment, a tannery, a foundry, and a woollen factory. A large portion of this property has been destroyed by fire. The whole of this water-power is not now used. The South Wolfeborough Blanket and Flannel Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1861. The factory building is leased by I. W. Springfield. He employs seventy-five men, and makes 60,000 blankets annually, and has run the factory now for thirty years. Several small establishments are located on other streams, and there have also been small tanneries and brickyards in various localities.
Moses Varney was the first tanner. He commenced business near the present site of the bank building, and afterwards removed to the place where now stands the Varney tannery. He was succeeded in turn by his son Joseph, his grandson Moses, and his great-grandson William. A grandson, Joseph, has been a leather manufacturer for many years. His tannery is located on the lake shore.
The Steam Mill Company, established in 1851 by Moses and Augustus Varney, Alpheus Swett, and Benjamin Morrison, became in 1865 the property of Libbey, Varney & Co. (Alvah S. Libbey, Augustus J. Varney, Alonzo Thompson). They manufacture sawed lumber and box "shook," of which the yearly product is about 3,500,000 feet. The value of buildings and machinery is $12,000; of stock, $12,000. They employ thirty men.
The Lake Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1873. Its capital was limited to $100,000 by charter, and fixed at $40,000. It did a large business for several years.
Joseph Varney & Co. (George F. Symonds), at their tannery on the shore of Lake Winnipiseogee, employ twenty-five hands, and manufacture 25,000 sides of heavy brogan quarter leather annually.
The Wolfeborough Steam Power Company was incorporated August 4, 1883, to build a shoe factory. A building was erected in 1884 at an expense of $30,000. It was intended for two establishments, and was four stories high, with a length of 200 feet and a width of 36, having two L's 36x75 feet. J. M. Cropley & Bro. and F. W. & I. M. Munroe, shoe manufacturers of Marblehead, Mass., became occupants. After the fire which destroyed it in 1887, the property of the Steam Power Company was transferred to the Wolfeborough Construction Company. This company put up a similar building on the same site, which is occupied by the same firms. The officers are : John L. Peavey, president ; Charles H. Morgan, vice-president; Josepli
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Lewando, clerk ; I. B. Manning, treasurer ; Greenleaf B. Clark, Charles F. Piper, Joseph P. Heath, directors.
F. W. & I. M. Munroe have a capital of $125,000 invested in the manufac- ture of misses' and children's standard-screw and machine-sewed shoes. They have been in business twenty-four years, and employ one hundred and fifty operatives. Salesroom, 15 and 17 High street, Boston, Mass. John A. Burrows is superintendent.
J. M. Cropley & Bro. (Jacob M. Cropley, W. W. Cropley ) employ about three hundred hands in the manufacture of machine-sewed shoes for children and misses. They produce from thirty-five to forty cases a day. H. B. Hawkesworth, a native of Nova Scotia, came to Wolfeborough with the firm as their superintendent, and now holds that position.
Stores and Traders. - About 1781 William Cotton opened a store at the present residence of Albert Cotton. The old storeroom is now a part of the family kitchen. Samuel Dimon, previous to 1800, commenced trade at Dimon's Corner (now North Wolfeborough). Dimon also kept tavern. A few years after he was succeeded by Aaron Roberts, who remained in business as a merchant and tailor a long time. Pierce L. and Brackett Wiggin, brothers, and Augustine D. Avery also had stores there. Roberts was succeeded by Hersey & Coleman, and they by George J. Burke. Heze- kiah Willand and son, Arthur J. Willand, have been engaged in merchan- dising there for several years. There have been small stores at Wolfeboro Centre at different times.
The first store at Mill village was opened by Nathaniel Rogers. He may have been succeeded by William Thompson. In 1848 Parker & Wiggin commenced trade, and with their successor, H. B. Parker, continued the business more than thirty years. Hodge & Heath and Joseph P. Heath sold goods for a score of years or more. Colonel Jonathan Copp had a store in early time at Goose Corner. John W. Horne traded there for awhile. In later years, one Langley was the local merchant. Bradstreet Doe came to town in 1810, purchased a small farm near Goose Corner, where he manufactured hats until the business became unprofitable.
The first trader at South Wolfeborough was probably some one of the Rust family. Henry Rust Parker was in trade there quite early. Henry B. Rust continued the longest time in mercantile business. John W. Avery and several others have dealt in merchandise there.
The first store at Smith's bridge was probably that of William Rogers. John L. Piper commenced trade early, followed by Piper & Avery. Richard Rust was an early trader here; he was succeeded by his son Thomas, and he by Rust & Farrar. Smith & Crosby were also merchants, as was James Pike, and, later, John Barker, Gilman Cooper, and many more. The persons who continued in trade the longest were Daniel
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Pickering and Samuel Avery. Mr Pickering commenced business in the building since known as the Manning House. About 1830 he built a large store at Pickering's Corner. He was the largest dealer in town. Mr Avery erected the store now occupied by Furber & Clark, about 1824.
Taverns were quite common, but rather small affairs in the early settle- ment. John Sinclair is said to have had the first. On the main road at different times taverns were kept by James Connor, Widow Evans, and others. In 1795 Andrew Jewett built an inn at the Bridge village ; this was a one-story building, forty feet in length. After Jewett's death, Richard Rust took his widow and the tavern; he added one story to the house, and at his demise was succeeded by his son Thomas; and he in turn by several others. It was once called "Jewett's," then " Rust's Tavern," and is now the Lake Hotel. This was for some years the principal hotel in that part of the town. John Pickering for several years kept a public house, occupying the premises now owned by his niece, Mrs Charles Rollins.
Captain Moses Brown opened a tavern near the close of the last century, on Brown's Ridge. It being situated on one of the principal thoroughfares in the easterly part of New Hampshire, he did a flourishing business, and at his death he left to each of his several sons three thousand dollars. The business and thrift of the establishment continued under the management of his widow, who was an energetic woman. One son, Adam, accumulated a large fortune. The old homestead is in the possession of Mrs F. P. Adams, daughter of Adam Brown.
James Pike had a tavern near the present site of the Bank building. Colonel Jonathan Copp kept tavern for many years in the large house at Goose Corner, now occupied by Mr Randall. A hotel was kept for some years at South Wolfeborough ; several different proprietors have had charge of it. The mill-house at Mill village was for years an "inn." In 1781 William Cotton set up a small tavern where his great-grandson, Albert Cotton, now resides. About the same time, William Glynn established one near where Harry Smith lives. Afterwards William Triggs had one at the David Chamberlain place. Thomas Whittle furnished " entertainment " near Dimon's Corner, as did likewise some others. In 1807 Samuel Wiggin was an innkeeper.
The Pavilion at Wolfeborough village was erected by a company of citizens in 1849 or 1850. It was originated by Daniel Pickering, and built and furnished largely by him and his son-in-law, Charles Rollins, who now owns the property. Daniel Chamberlain was the first proprietor, and gave it a valuable reputation as a summer hotel. Large additions were made to it later, and it accommodates two hundred and fifty guests.
The Glendon was built by John L. Peavey and C. W. Thurston in
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1873 and 1874. It is one of the finest constructed hotels in the lake region, cost $29,000 to build, and was opened for guests in June, 1874. In 1881 it passed into the ownership of the Carroll County Savings Bank. It was purchased by William C. Thompson in 1883, has ninety-one rooms, and is only open in the summer.
The Belvue House is the former dwelling-house of Gilman Cooper. Daniel Horn, son of James Horn from Yarmouth, Maine, commenced hotel life in the Pavilion in 1855, took charge of the Winnipiseogee House at Alton for three years during the Civil War, purchased this house of W. H. Jones in October, 1868, and opened it as a hotel. A lady boarder, conversant with European life, named it the Belvue. The house was enlarged in 1872 to accommodate seventy-five guests, is popularly known as "Horn's on the Lake," and commands a delightful view. In connection with this house, Mr Horn has a camp of two cottages on an island in the lake. Mr Horn is now the oldest landlord in town.
Summer Boarding-houses. - Glen Cottage, Levi Horn; Lake View House, C. W. Gilman ; Elm Cottage, Mrs R. R. Davis ; Hersey House, Mrs W. D. Hersey ; in the village. Meader Retreat, S. A. Meader; Maple Cottage, J. L. Wiggin ; Piper's Farmhouse, J. W. Piper; Stewart House, H. B. Stewart ; Pebble Cottage, W. B. Fullerton ; Fay's boarding-house, S. W. Fay ; on the main road to Tuftonborough. Fair View House, S. N. Furber; in Pine Hill district. Highland Cottage, J. L. Goldsmith; at the Highlands.
The Lake Fire Insurance Company was organized on the stock system in 1860, with Abel Haley, president: John Fox, secretary and treasurer; Abel Haley, Thomas L. Whitton, J. F. Hall, W. W. Blaisdell, C. G. Tibbetts, Moses Thompson, J. M. Mooney, M. T. Cate, A. H. Rust, J. M. Brackett, John Fox, Henry Hurd, George D. Savage, directors. It was ultimately absorbed by the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company.
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