History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 98

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

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Farming was the universal avocation in early days, and down to the construction of the railroad in 1870. Forty years ago it was a prosperous rural community, with pleasant homes on every hillside. From 1820 to 1850 there were five farms amply supporting five large families on Gow hill.1 They were owned by Henry Harmon, James Burke, Ephraim Tibbetts, Ebenezer Stillings, and Jeremiah Marston. Now all are abandoned. An old resident informs us that he has counted forty-two farms that in 1840 were productive and supporting families, that are now abandoned or consolidated with other farms. The railroad, by affording facilities of transportation, gave an impetus to lumbering, which has been the chief avocation from 1870. William Kennett has been the largest operator.

Mills. - From the earliest a saw and grist mill has been in existence at the outlet of Long pond, most of the time in possession of the Blaisdell family, and known as Blaisdell's mills. East Madison postoffice was estab- lished here about thirty years ago. Mrs Nicholas Blaisdell is now postmistress. Several other pioneer mills were built on different streams, have served their day, and are no longer in operation. During the Civil War Charles H. Hunt built a saw and grist mill at the village. He sold it after some years to John and George Chick, who disposed of it to Eli Banfield. It is now unused. In 1870 George Chick built a mill on the stream below the village. Here he manufactured lumber, staves, and boxboards, the motive-power being a thirty horse-power steam-engine. This was burned in 1881. In 1883 Mr Chick

1 The Gow who gave the name was the first settler on the hill, but soon left town.

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erected a mill at the north end of Silver lake of much greater capacity, and furnished it with a sixty-five horse-power engine and machinery for manufacturing lumber, bobbins, boxboards, etc., and a planing and matching machine. This has been in operation ever since, and employs twelve men. A cooper shop is run in connection with the mill. A gristmill adjoining the sawmill receives its power from the same engine. This is the only manufacturing establishment in Madison, and is of more value to the community than half a dozen silver-mines or half a hundred wornout farms.

The Chocorua silver-lead mine, discovered by Mr Tibbetts and first worked in 1826, gave glittering promises. It is on the eastern side of Silver lake. The rock is quartzite near an immense sandy plain where rock exposures are almost unknown. In 1868 Henry J. Banks and two others secured the mine, erected a mill run by a fifteen horse-power steam-engine, employed ten men, and mined 1,500 tons of ore in that and the next year. They claimed to get over twenty per cent. of zinc and twenty per cent. of galena from the ore. The galena gave seventy per cent. of lead and six pounds of silver to the ton. In 1870 machinery worth $50,000 was on the ground, an additional steam-engine of _eighty horse-power. The vein was six feet wide. After a long season of quiet, operations were commenced in 1888 by New York parties. Work is carried on at the bottom of a shaft eighty feet deep.

Physicians. - Dr James Jackson came in 1783 with four of his sons, and was in practice for many years. Dr David Howard settled in 1823 where Josiah H. Hobbs, Esq., lives, until his death in 1829. Dr Daniel S. Hobbs, who was born in Effingham October 6, 1799, was a medical student with Doctors Dearborn, of Effingham, and Dow, of Dover, attended lectures at Dartmouth College and Bowdoin Medical School (Brunswick, Maine), and was graduated from the latter in September, 1826. He had been in practice for eighteen months in Ossipee, came to Madison, commenced practice, and later married the widow of Dr Howard and succeeded to his practice. A man of good abilities, he was a popular and successful physician until near his death, November 8, 1883. His wife died January 8, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven. A Dr Swan was here a few years, shortly after the Civil War. Dr Edwin T. Hubbard, just graduated from Bowdoin Medical School, came here in 1875. He was a bright physician and had good success ; he was fitted for a larger field, and went to Rochester about 1886. Then another graduate of Bowdoin, Dr George M. Atwood, began his professional life here. He went to Ossipee in December, 1888. A few others have had brief residences.

Early Taverns. - Samuel Atkinson kept an old-fashioned "road-tavern " at the village from about 1820 until his death. His wife continued the busi- ness until 1863 or 1864. She was a woman of great capability, a celebrated cook, and noted for the excellence and quick preparation of her dinners.

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The house passed into the possession of Nathaniel Churchill, who still owns the property. He closed the tavern after the railroad had superseded stages and the hauling of produce by teams. John Crocker, "Judge " Crocker, as he was called from having been a "side " judge, was for a long time mail contractor on the then existing route from Madison to Saco and had a tavern at the village from about 1820 until his death, about the time of Zachary Taylor's election as President. He was an carly postmaster.

Traders. - Captain John March, an able citizen who weighed three hundred and fifty pounds, was in trade from 1800 to 1820 in what is now the dwelling of N. F. Nason, at the village. His successor was Artemas Harmon, who traded until some time in the " forties" in the L. M. Atkinson store. A Mr Seavey traded at the Harmon stand for a year or so after Harmon left. Daniel Lary kept quite a stock of goods for sale on the Frost place, one mile below the village, continuing there until 1850. About 1847 John M. Atkin- son, a very capable and popular business man, began merchandising at the Harmon store, and sold out to Jotham Harmon in 1852, who was in trade eight or ten years. He was the first representative of Madison, holding the position three consecutive years. His brother, William Harmon, succeeded him in trade, and after some years moved his stock to East Madison. After selling out in 1852, John M. Atkinson placed a stock of merchandise in the old March store and was in trade there until his death in 1868. Ira Atkinson, his cousin, succeeded to his business, conducted it some years, and retired.

In 1873 James O. Gerry was in trade at the village. He sold to Roscoe Flanders, who sold to Mrs Ann B. Atkinson, widow of John M., who purchased for her minor sons. They carried on trade as Atkinson Brothers until 1881, when the present postmaster, Langdon M. Atkinson, became sole owner. For forty years or more the postoffice of Madison has been kept by the Atkinson family, John M. holding it for years and at the time of his death. Mrs Atkinson was then appointed and held it until 1887. Luke Nickerson "kept store " at East Madison for some years prior to the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Thirteenth Maine Regiment, was made orderly sergeant, and died of disease while in service. Merrow & Scruton traded in a small way in 1873 in the store opposite the watering-trough by James J. Burke's. In 1876 J. J. Merrow was in trade alone. James O. Gerry traded here a time later. In 1875 Nathaniel M. Nason began the manufacture of pantaloons for Boston 'merchants. He employs over one hundred sewers, who make one hundred pairs a day. His work for one firm amounted to $4,800 in 1888.

SILVER LAKE is one of those graceful bodies of water that suggest a Highland loch, a Swiss lake, the Gulf of Venice, or any of those dreamy places of rest where one may lie in a boat and gaze into cerulean skies fringed with awful majesty of mountains, and for a time be beguiled into thinking he is in fairyland. No other lake in this vicinity seems so quiet, so tranquil, so

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

full of repose as Silver lake. From the village it opens up a long vista of most entrancing appearance, while from the lake and southern shore delightful mountain prospects gleam on you over a sheet of liquid silver. This should be a much valued summer resort, and its nearness to North Conway is such that visitors there can easily give themselves the pleasure of boat rides on it. The day should not be far distant when its shores are dotted with cottages.

Silver Lake Village was a wild tract when the building of the railroad and establishment of Madison station made it a centre for business. Andrew J. Forrest cleared the land where the Silver Lake House stands, and built the house in 1874. This he opened as a hotel in September, 1876. He died January 9, 1877, and Mrs A. R. Forrest and son have since conducted it. The summer patronage has increased from 1877, when they entertained quite a number. The hotel has accommodations for from twenty to thirty guests, and most fascinating views of the charming lake are presented from its piazzas. In 1876 David Knowles built Lake View Cottage, and opened it to summer boarders in 1878. Its situation on a pine-covered knoll is delightful, command- ing the lovely scenery of the lake. Mr Knowles, a practical florist, makes the grounds around his cottage a gorgeous array of floral coloring during the summer months. From fifteen to thirty guests can be entertained here.

The store now occupied by Frank R. Kennett was built in 1880 by Charles F. Hatch, the first agent of Madison station. Here the firm of Hatch & Charles E. Bickford was in trade for two years, when Mr Bickford became proprietor. He sold to Mr Kennett in November, 1888, and is the present station agent.

F. C. Pearson commenced trade in what is now the parlor of the Silver Lake House in 1878. The next year he built a store, where, after some years, he was succeeded for two years by Allard & Gerry (Albert Allard, James O. Gerry).

Silver Lake postoffice was established in 1878 with F. C. Pearson as post- master. It was moved by him with his store and kept there under his admin- istration and that of Mr Allard, his successor. In 1877 Mr Allard resigned the office in favor of Mrs A. R. Forrest, who removed the office to the hotel. Mrs Forrest was succeeded in 1889 by H. Scammon.

Silver Lake Circle was organized in 1885 for literary advancement and the formation of a library. It now has a library of 250 volumes. It is kept at the hotel. I. A. Forrest is librarian.

Bickford's Cave is about one mile from Eaton Centre, four miles from Madison village, and four from Conway. It is a gothic arch, gray, mossy, and grand, looking out upon a dark, deep, woody gorge, and is thirty feet high and twenty-five wide. The back has such an inclination that seats for eighty persons could easily be arranged as in an amphitheatre. From the top a ridge of earth has been cast up in former days, that extends to Pea Porridge pond - a mile and a half. The cave also indicates artificial origin.

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TOWN OF MADISON.

Soon after the close of the Civil War the town found that it was owing over $20,000. In 1883 this had been nearly all paid, less than $2,500 remaining.

Madison Village is the old business centre, and still preserves its dignity, and much business is done. The church, Atkinson's store, Nason's manufac- tory, and the pleasant homes surrounding them unite in making a rural village of attraction.

CHAPTER LXX.

Town Annals - Freewill Baptist Churches - Rev. Charles E. Blake - Civil List - Statistics.

T TOWN ANNALS. - George Merrow, James Mooney, and Mark P. Blais- dell were authorized to call the first town-meeting, which was holden February 8, 1853, and the selectmen were constituted a committee to settle with the town of Eaton, according to the act of incorporation, which specified as commissioners to make a suitable division Jonathan T. Chase and Eliphalet Cloutman, of Conway, and Elias Rice, of Freedom. At the March meeting there were 150 votes cast for governor, of which Noah Martin received 53, James Bell 68, and John H. White, 29. The town voted to raise $500 for the repair of highways, $500 for winter tax on high- ways, $100 in addition to what the law requires for schools, $500 for the necessary charges and expenses of the town; to build a new town-house. 1854. At the annual town-meeting voted to raise $700 for highways, $700 for winter tax on highways, $100 above the requirements of law for schools, $500 for town's expenses, $800 for building the "county road," and John Moulton and Henry Harmon chosen commissioners to expend the money. The town was divided into nine school districts: Village, Harmon, B. B. Colby's, Blaisdell, Lord's, Mason's, Churchill's, Quint's, Kimball's. The resi- dent valuation was $770.35, non-resident, $14.65. Henry Harmon was excused as road commissioner and Eleazer Kennison chosen in his place. The town afterwards voted to reconsider the vote appointing agents, and authorized the selectmen to lay the road out into sections of twenty rods each, and sell the jobs of building them to the lowest bidder. 1855. Robinson Blaisdell, Isaiah Forrest, Nathaniel Quint, were chosen to settle the controversy between Madison and Eaton. The proportion of state tax to be raised this year is $93.80; county tax, $131.34; town charges, $400; school money required

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by law, $234.50 ; school money in addition to this, $200; repair of highways and bridges, $700; winter tax for highways, $700. John L. Frost appointed liquor agent. 1856. The ticket for five presidential electors headed by Daniel Marcy received 41 votes, that by W. H. H. Bailey 122. 1857. The selectmen were authorized to hire money to pay the town debt and voted to raise $600 to apply on it. One dollar a day allowed for work on roads before the first of October; after that, seventy-five cents. $150 above the sum required by law ($256) to be raised for schools. 1858. Conway line peram- bulated. On the question, "Is it expedient to alter the state constitution ?" the town cast seventy-six votes in the negative to none in the affirmative. Daniel Lary appointed liquor agent. 1860. Votes in favor of removing the courts from Ossipee (all cast), 139; in favor of holding the courts at Madison, 139 ; in favor of purchasing a county farm, 129; against, 10; against building a jail, 139. James J. Merrow appointed liquor agent. Lines between Madi- son and Freedom perambulated.

1861. December 18, voted to raise $300 for families of volunteers. 1862. No votes for and 129 against buying a county farm and building a jail. Seven school districts made. 1862, July 12, the selectmen are authorized to hire $400 for families of volunteers. August 14, voted $2,500 to encourage enlistments and to pay each man who enlists $100; also, that the enlistments in the town be restricted to our quota. August 23, voted "to authorize the committee having in charge the act providing for aid to volunteers to pay to families the sums equal to the full amount specified in the act referred to according to the number of the family dependent; the town making up to the volunteers' families whatever the state does not allow (if anything) to encourage enlistments." September 29, voted $1,200 for soldiers' families. 1863. At the March meeting voted to raise $1,000 for soldiers' families. March 30, a committee appointed to report a plan for a town-house immedi- ately. October 3, voted $800 of the money now on hand to liquidate the town debt; also, $500 for the aid of dependents of volunteers. December 3, voted $1,500 to cash United States bounties for volunteers ; also, $1,000 to encourage enlistments ; chose Josiah Hobbs and one of the selectmen agents to fill the quota. 1864. At the March meeting this resolution, offered by B. B. Colby, was adopted : -

Resolved, That the southern rebels now in arms to destroy this government are foul conspirators, false to themselves, false to mankind and to God; we therefore hold it to be the duty of all loyal persons to do all they can by word or deed, by their influence, by their conversation, by their sympathy as well as by their purse, to aid the government cheerfully and heartily in putting down this cruel, unjustifiable, uncalled-for, and wicked rebellion.

Voted $1,200 for families of volunteers ; also, $2,000 for repair of highways and bridges. May 2, voted $100 for each man that will or has volunteered

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and is assigned to our quota, also to raise $75 in addition to the sum already raised ; that William Harmon be an agent to deed lands belonging to the town. June 13, voted $1,800 to pay drafted men or their substitutes; $20,000 for the encouragement of enlistments; to authorize the selectmen to fill the quota. November 8, voted to pay an equal amount of town bounty [to all] who volunteered to fill the quota. 1865. March meeting. Voted to raise $3,000 to pay on the town debt; $2,000 for volunteers' families. 1867. March meeting, voted to raise $2,625 to pay on town debt ; also, to issue town bonds to the amount of $20,000, payable $1,000 a year, in such denomi- nations as the selectmen shall think proper, and sell the same, but not to sell under the face of them. On the question, " Is it expedient to abolish pauper settlements in town and throw the entire support of the paupers upon the counties ?" the town voted 10 in favor and 76 against. 1868. Raised $1,800 for highways and bridges, $250 in addition to the requirement for schools, $600 for town expenses, $1,200 to pay on town debt. 1869. Voted to raise $5,000 on town debt; $2,400 for highways and bridges; $250 in addition to the provision of law for schools. Line between Eaton and Madison perambulated.

1873. In the warrant calling a town-meeting to meet April twenty-sixth, the fourth article read : " To see if the town will vote to build a town house and raise money for the same, or unite with the first school district and build a town hall in connection with the school house in said district." The town voted to pass this article. In the March meeting, 1874, one article in the warrant was passed over which was "to see if the town will vote to build a town house and raise money for the same." At the same meeting it was voted that the price of labor on the highway for ten hours previous to September 1 shall be two dollars per day, after that time one dollar and fifty cents ; also, that the selectmen be instructed to divide the dog tax so that each district shall have the proceeds of its own dogs. The subject of town-house was again "passed " in a meeting held April 14. 1877. On the questions involving the amendments of the state constitution, the town voted affirmatively on all but the first question, which was negatived. 1878. At March meeting voted to raise $3,000 for highways and bridges, $1,000 for payment on town debt. Horace W. Harmon chosen agent to furnish schoolbooks at cost; James Hodsdon receives the appointment of fish-warden. 1879. Voted to adopt and enforce sections 15 and 16 of charter 109 of the General Laws of New Hampshire concerning the sale of cider, lager beer, etc. 1883. The town- house question again comes up, and is again "passed over." 1884. Voted to build a town-house ; also, to raise $800 to build it, and chose George Chick, David Knowles, Langdon M. Atkinson, William Mason, and Nathaniel M. Nason a committee to locate the site and build the house. Nason resigned, having taken the contract to build the house, and Nathaniel Churchill was

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substituted. (A very neat building was erected at the village as a result of this action.) At the fall election the Republican electors of President received 122 votes, the Democratic 48, the Prohibition 7; 177 votes cast : also, voted by 43 to 4 that it was inexpedient to call a convention to revise the state constitution. 1885. Voted $200 in addition to requirement for schools, $1,200 for roads and bridges, $600 for town expenses ; to allow fifteen cents an hour for labor on the highways; voted to accept the new town-honse. 1886. Voted $2,000 for highway purposes ; voted 77 to 5 that it was inexpedient to call a constitutional convention ; to discontinue the highway leading from the north line of Freedom northerly over Gow hill, as far north of said line as the main road from said highway to the dwelling of Thomas Harmon ; that the young people have the use of the town-house free for dramatic and social entertainments for the ensuing year, in consideration of the chandelier and settees they have presented to the town for use in the town-house. 1888. More highways are discontinued. The old early roads are not in all cases the ones used to-day, and are going back to their original wildness. At the fall election George W. Nesmith, heading the Republican electoral ticket for President, received 120 votes ; Thomas Cogswell, heading the Democratic electoral ticket, received 44 votes. 1889. The votes on the questions presented in the proposed amendments to the state constitution were : No. 1, yes 55. no 29; No. 2, yes 58, no 29; No. 3, yes 60, no 30 ; No. 4, yes 62, no 26 ; No. 5, yes 52, no 37; No. 6, yes 23, no 73; No. 7, yes 74, no 21.

Inventory, 1889. - Polls, 153 ; 140 horses, valued $7,766; 96 oxen, valued $3,858 ; 185 cows, valued $3,346; 129 other neat stock, valued $2,100; 184 sheep, valued $370. The total valuation of the town is $137,366.

The Freewill Baptist Church of Madison was organized as the "Eaton Church," Stewart says, in 1799, in one place ; in 1802 in another. The early records being lost, it is impossible to tell accurately. John Colby labored here in 1811, and baptized 46. In 1812 the membership was exceedingly large, 200, as appears on the reports to the Quarterly Meeting. In 1822 this had dropped to 50, and a series of deelensions and revivals followed for many years. In 1838 the membership was reported as 82. Sixty-seven were added in 1844, when Rev. Charles E. Blake was pastor for about five months. The next year the church preferred charges against the pastor, Rev. Thomas Sanborn, which were sus- tained, but various things had tended to bring difficulties into the organization besides this. Second Adventism had come, and the church had not recovered from it. In 1853 the church becomes the "First Madison Church" by the formation of the town of Madison. A large revival blessed faithful efforts in 1858, 44 becoming members. There were then but 68. In 1878-79 the Sunday-school numbered over one hundred attendants. Rev. C. E. Blake became pastor in 1886. The present church building was erected in 1855, and in the summer of 1888 was thoroughly renovated and refitted, and a fine bell

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hung in the tower. The church membership is 48; deacon, George W. Gray. Deacon Charles Allard, an excellent man, served some time, and until his death. The Sabbath-school has about 50 members ; David Knowles, super- intendent.

Rev. Charles E. Blake was born at Exeter, June 21, 1818. At the age of fourteen he left school. When eighteen he was apprenticed to the morocco business in Lynn ; the next year he made shoes in various places. In 1840 he joined the Methodist church at Newmarket. On account of his radical anti-slavery views he was given a letter of dismissal, and in 1843 joined the Freewill Baptist denomination, and very soon began to preach. He came to Madison in August, 1844, found the church almost extinct, and drew up a new church covenant which was signed by 72 persons. His stay here was until February, 1845. His successor proved himself unworthy, and the church suffered. Mr. Blake was in active labor at North Sandwich, where he was ordained in September, 1845. In December, 1847, he went to Franconia and Bethlehem churches. After three years he removed to Bethlehem and was pastor three years ; he was then at Dalton two years, Gardner City (Maine), three years, Dover, one year, and Farmington (Maine), two years. November 1, 1861, Mr Blake enlisted in the Thirteenth Maine Volunteers under Colonel Neal Dow. In March, 1862, he was promoted to the chaplaincy of the regi- ment, and was in active service for two years, accompanying General Butler to New Orleans. His services in the army were numerous and patriotic. In 1863 he returned to Farmington, and was pastor for four years, then at Auburn (Maine), where he in one day baptized 65. In September, 1867, he was called to a church in New York city that was just disbanding, and remained three years. He then went to South Boston, and was soon called to canvass New York state for the missionary cause.

After pastorates at Dover, Springvale, New Hampton, and North Anson, he was employed as a home missionary by the state board of missions in Maine. But the old field where he had labored so usefully needed him, and January 1, 1886, he commenced his present pastorate in Madison, forty-one years after his first labors here. He has ever been a pioneer, especially noted for his skill in building and uniting disorganized congregations, and much of this work has fallen to his lot. At the age of seventy-one, his countenance is cheerful, sunny, and cheery, and he walks with the lightness of a boy. He looks upon the bright side of life, labors with the earnestness of an extremely earnest nature for the right, as God has given him to see the right, and is a widely known and loved veteran of his church. Few have accomplished more good. His daughter Sadie is connected with the management of the "Free Baptists " at Minneapolis ; another daughter, Lizzie, married Rev. E. S. Stackpole, now building up a theological seminary at Florence, Italy, for his (Methodist) church. His son Edwin is pastor of the church at Tamworth Iron Works.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 98

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