USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Chester > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 47
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Auburn > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
In deference to the request of the Woman's Relief Corps, the change was determined upon, and, on the 25th day of July, 1903, the committee of five convened and adopted a resolution empowering Mr. Marston, its secretary and treasurer, to make a contract for such a monument as in his judgment and discretion would be most suitable and practicable, having regard to the amount of funds available. Mr. Marston fully realized the responsibility of the trust thus imposed up- on him by the committee. He at once sought suggestions from the personal inspection of other monuments which enabled him to work out the beautiful and artistic design which the sculptor and workers in stone have reproduced in granite from the quarries of Massachu- setts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
On the 9th day of February, 1904, a contract was executed with Messrs. Palmer & Garmon, of Manchester, for the making and erection of a monument in accordance with the plans and specifications made by Mr. Marston and it was finished and placed in position on the 19th day of July, 1904.
The fore-going account of the inception and successful comple- tion of this long-delayed memorial to the soldiers of '61-'65, which stands at the crossing of the old highways shows that its existence is due to the united efforts and generous co-operation of the Grand Army Post, the Woman's Relief Corps, and the citizen-voters of the town at the annual elections of 1903 and 1904, to the artistic genius of Cyrus F. Marston and to the liberal contributions of time and money made by Colonel George A. Hosley, who was its inspiration and guiding spirit from the beginning to the end.
The 22d day of August, 1904, is destined to be memorable in the life-history of Chester as "Dedication Day." It was the more con- spicuous because its festivities were happily blended with "Old Home Day."
The coming event had been quite well advertised through the columns of the press and by the near-by Grand Army Posts, the Wo- inan's Relief Corps of the State, and the Grand Army of the Republic at its annual reunion held in Boston the previous week. The Derry News, enjoying a wide and well-merited circulation in the community and voicing the kindly sentiment of all the press, had given it their inspiration in language which turned out to be prophetic :
408
HISTORY OF CHESTER
"The Old Home Day in Chester this year will be marked with a ceremony of dedication which will be a memorable epoch in the history of the old town. The dedication of the Soldiers' Monument will be an event of special interest to all who may be so fortunate as to wit- ness it."
The conditions in every way were most favorable. The Saturday before, rain had poured in torrents all day long, which served to purify the atmosphere and to moisten the dry and dusty earth. The interven- ing Sabbath was fair and Monday, the day selected for the exercises, was most propitious, one of those choice days, not uncommon in New Hampshire, when the rays of the summer sun are gratefully tempered with delicious breezes from the distant mountains.
The flag was in evidence at all the appropriate points and the vil- lage homes were handsomely decorated with the emblems of patriotism. The dedicatory exercises, which had been looked forward to with great interest, called out a large concourse of people who attended with every indication of joyous satisfaction. There came from all points of the compass veterans of the Loyal Legion and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Almost the entire population of the town gathered about the monument long before the appointed hour, prompted by a genuine spirit of patriotism and local pride, eagerly manifesting a natural interest in an event which meant so much for the town.
There were present also, many from the surrounding towns, with delegations from Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Exeter, Portsmouth and other cities in New Hampshire, and from Boston, Lowell, Haver- hill, Lawrence and other towns in Massachusetts; and some "Old Home Day" comers were there from States in the Mississippi Valley and as far west as the Dakotas. The presence of such an audience, em- bracing many persons of distinction in civil, military and social circles, was not only highly gratifying to the members of the committee who had labored so earnestly and faithfully to make the occasion a success, but a most decided and delightful inspiration to the speakers.
A little after ten o'clock in the morning, a procession was formed in front of the hotel, whence it marched to the grandstand, its objective point, where the dedicatory exercises were held.
The order of the ceremonies as arranged by the committee with Colonel Hosley as President of the Day, was exceedingly appropriate. Following the invocation by the Rev. Chester J. Wilcomb, a native son, now a resident of California, an eloquent and scholarly dedication address was given by the Honorable George Cochrane Hazelton, of Washington, D. C., a native son in whom Chester takes great pride and has always delighted to honor. It is needless to say that it equalled, if not excelled, any of his former efforts. It is not out of place in this connection to mention that the culminating effort in his oratorical career came eighteen years later when he delivered the historic address at the Bi-Centennial celebration, followed by his peaceful death a week later near the place of his birth, in the home,of near kin, at the ad- vanced age of over ninety years.
The address was followed by the formal ceremonies of dedication, conducted by Colonel Henry O. Kent, Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic of the State of New Hampshire, George Sherman West, Chairman of the Selectmen, on behalf of the town, giving the monument into the keeping of the G. A. R. These cere- monies were of an impressive character in which the members of the local Post, Bell No. 74, took a prominent part. They were witnessed with great interest by the large assemblage to whom it was like the
IN Joursund
409
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AND JR. O. U. A. M.
introduction of a picture of striking import amid the passing scenes of some great drama of historical events.
Eloquent and inspiring addresses were then made by Hon. John C. Linehan of Concord, representing His Excellency, Governor Na- hum J. Bachelder, who was unable to be present, Hon. Henry E. Burnham, junior U. S. Senator ; Hon. Henry F. Hollis of Concord, a grand-son of the town; James Tanner of Washington, D. C., familiar- ly known as "Corporal," Judge Advocate General of the G. A. R .; Hon. Cyrus A. Sulloway, member of Congress from this District; Mrs. Maria F. Densmore, President of the Woman's Relief Corps of the Dept. of N. H .; Mrs. Louise S. Johnson, Past President of the same organization and last, but by no means the least noteworthy, a native son whom Chester delights to honor and one who honors the town with a yearly visit, Hon. Gerry Whiting Hazelton of Milwaukee, Wis., a former Congressman from that state.
Nothing in connection with this notable occasion was more hearti- ly appreciated than the generous act of Henry Thayer in placing the use and control of his hotel (then temporarily withdrawn from the public service) in the hands of the Committee of Arrangements, who opened wide its doors and made it available for the comfort and enjoyment of the public and for the hospitalities so bounteously provided.
This old hostelry, which has a most interesting history and which has long been recognized as one of the ancient landmarks of the town, has in its time played many parts, but none more opportune than that which it took in the festivities of "Dedication Day."
To its well-arranged tables, when the regular exercises at the grandstand had closed, came the invited guests, members of the press and others to partake of and enjoy the bountiful dinner prepared and served, on the unsurpassed New England plan by the Woman's Relief Corps.
This was followed in due time by field sports that had been ad- vertised as a part of the programme, by speeches, recitations, songs and the usual camp-fire exercises on the part of the veterans and others, upon and around the hotel veranda, under the leadership of the Grand Army Club of Massachusetts.
"Old friendships were renewed and new ones formed, greetings were given and farewells said; and still later on, and into the shadows of the evening, the Kingston Band discoursed sweet music on the village green, and well night on to midnight the voices of merriment could be heard, gradually dying away, until at length the last loiterer of the day's vast multitude of six thousand people had vanished from the streets, leaving the Soldiers' Mounment, still carrying the emblems of its dedication, standing in its place, under the mild light of the eternal stars, imposing, silent and alone-a fitting symbol of the Na- tion's love for its loyal and brave defenders."
.LINE OF MARCH Battalion of Police Chief Marshal, Judge Alfred D. Emery Kingston Cornet Band Bell Post, No. 74, G. A. R.
Delegates from Derry Post, Louis Bell Post of Manchester and Joseph Hooker Post of Raymond, acting as escort to the Department officers of New Hampshire G. A. R .; Colonel Henry O. Kent, Com- mander and Frank Battles, Assistant Adjutant General.
410
HISTORY OF CHESTER
State colors of Massachusetts, under guard of Abraham Lincoln Camp, No. 106 S. of V., from Boston, Mass., William D. Barber, Commander, and A. W. Meehan, Color Sergeant.
Grand Army Club of Massachusetts, acting as escort to the De- partment and Post Department officers of Massachusetts and National officers G. A. R. Colonel Joseph W. Thayer, commanding.
Hon. George C. Hazelton Orator of the Day
Selectmen of Chester George Sherman West, Leroy D. Morse and William T. Owen
Monument Committee Colonel George A. Hosley, John M. Webster, Nathan W. Goldsmith, Cyrus F. Marston and Walter I. Martin
"Old Home Day" Association with invited guests and speakers.
Officers of Chester's "Old Home Day"
President, Colonel George A. Hoskey; First Vice-President, Wm. B. Underhill; Secretary, Francis E. Robie; Treasurer, George S. West ; and Executive Committee, William Jones, Albert F. B. Edwards and Edward Jones.
JUNIOR ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS
Burnside Council, No. 26, Junior Order of United American Me- chanics was organized at Chester, April 13th, 1897, by State Councillor John H. Noyes, assisted by the degree staff of Goodwill Council of Plaistow. The following is a list of the twenty-nine Charter members : Arthur H. Wilcomb, George S. West, Charles T. Brown, Charles H. Anderson, William H. West, Nathan W. Goldsmith, Franklin P. Shackford, James A. Edwards, Albert Knippe, Charles G. McDuffie, John D. Fiske, Arthur F. McDuffie, Frank L. McDuffie, George F. Morse, Frank W. Weymouth, Frank T. Smith, Horace W. West, Reuben Fanning, Charles F. Hills, Rufus Forsaith, George S. Whitte- more, Herbert L. Brown, Martin Mills, Charles O. Goldsmith, Arthur T. Underhill, Charles A. Hayes, George M. Robie, Chauncey A. Robie and Henry F. Robie. Of that number nine have died, and five have withdrawn from the Order.
The first Officers of the Council were Councillor, Arthur H. Wil- comb; Vice-Councillor, Martin Mills; Recording Secretary, William H. West; Assistant Recording Secretary, Herbert L. Brown; Financial Secretary, Charles F. Hills; Treasurer, George S. West; Conductor, Rufus Forsaith; Warden, Franklin Shackford; Inside Sentinel, Al- bert Knippe; Outside Sentinel, John D. Fiske; Chaplain, Nathan W. Goldsmith; J. P. C., Horace W. West.
Officers at the present time: Councillor, Martin Mills; Vice- Councillor, Leon G. Simonds; Recording Secretary, Philip G. Hazel- ton; Assistant Recording Secretary, Willard R. Stowe; Financial Sec- retary, William B. Underhill; Treasurer, James A. Edwards; Con- ductor, Walter I. Martin; Warden, Charles A. Goldsmith; Inside Sentinel, Arthur E. Leighton; Outside Sentinel, George F. West; Chaplain, Rev. Herbert W. Wyman; Trustees, Nathan W. Goldsmith,
4II
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AND JR. O. U. A. M.
Martin Mills, Leroy D. Morse. There are twelve honorary members : Viz. James M. Heath, aged 95; Carlos W. Noyes, 90; Albert F. B. Edwards, 86; Cyrus F. Marston, 83; the last three are Civil War Veterans; Rev. Silas N. Adams, Rev. Herbert W. Wyman, James W. Gordon, Walter I. Martin, Edward E. Wilcox, George E. Gillingham, William N. Colby and Leon G. Simonds.
Seven members of the Order were in the World War: James O. Davenport, Percy S. Stows, Victor B. Spollett, Clifford E. Richardson, Clarence H. McCully, James M. Forsaith and Howard F. West-the last two gave their lives to their country.
Since our organization we have initiated into the Order 145 mem- bers. Of that number 82 are in good standing, making, with the twelve honorary members, ninety-four in all.
We have received for Initiation and Dues over $13,000, and have paid to the Funeral Benefit Department for sick benefits, per capita tax and other bills over $11,000, and have drawn from the Department and paid to relatives of the deceased Brothers, $8,250.00.
Objects of Our Order
I-To maintain and promote the interests of Americans and shield them from the depressing effects of unrestricted immigration, to assist them in obtaining employment, and to encourage them in business.
2 .- To establish an Insurance Branch, and a sick and funeral fund.
3-To uphold the American Public School System, to prevent inter- ference therewith and to encourage the reading of the Holy Bible in the schools thereof.
4-To promote and maintain a National Orphan's Home.
Declarations of Purposes
We extend an honest welcome to all immigrants who come here seeking to better their condition, and intending to become earnest and law abiding citizens. But we maintain that there is no room in this land for an one who is not willing to pledge allegiance to our Flag and nationality, and to place the allegiance due to it above that con- ceded to any other power civil or religious.
We affirm our devotion to the American Public School System. We hold that our schools should be conducted in the English language, to the end that future generations may be able to take their places as English-speaking citizens of an English-speaking country, and that foreign languages should only be taught therein as incidental to a liberal education.
We declare it to be a fundamental principle of free government that every citizen possesses the liberty of worshiping God according to the dictates of his own conscience and we will assist in protecting all in the exercise of that liberty.
We recognize the Bible as the foundation of both moral and civil law, and believe that it should be read in our Public Schools, not to teach sectarianism, but Christianity. We would place a Flag upon and a Bible within every Public School house of our land, that all might learn these to be beacon lights to guide in every storm.
Burnside Council is considered one of the best in the State at the present time. William B. Underhill is State Councillor and Nathan W. Goldsmith is a member of the State Legislative Committee.
412
HISTORY OF CHESTER
CHAPTER XIX.
MILLS, ROADS AND TAVERNS.
MILLS AND ROADS
Mills of various kinds were important industries of the town for many years after its settlement. Their history was covered so fully in the History of Old Chester that there is practically nothing to add, except to chronicle their passing.
The manufacture of cloth, nails and edge tools ceased more than three score years ago and that of pails and shoes soon thereafter. Of the nearly a score of saw and grist-mills in operation in Chester and Auburn when the above mentioned history was published, only three are now in existence and the greater portion of the lumber now sawed is the product of the portable steam saw-mill which is moved from lot to lot as occasion requires.
The sites of these old mills are quaint spots and will well reward an hour's visit on a summer afternoon. Indeed, they may be quite as satisfactory to the reminiscent traveler as cemetaries, if not more so. The buildings vanished years ago and in many cases the dams are only relics of their former usefulness, but beside some grass-woven mill-pond you may pause while the fishes scurry away through the clear water to their hidden retreat. Rare flowers, fragible orchids, and ladies' slippers, have come back to their ancient haunts, and moss en- crusts the old mill-race. This was a teeming center once! Throbbing machinery, calls of workmen, and busy feet going to and fro. It is pleasant to rebuild the scene in fancy. What labor went into the mak- ing of these massive walls! How the oxen panted as they hauled these huge stones hither ! Many a day's labor (at a dollar or even less) was consumed in the construction of this solid wall. Perhaps, even the course of the stream was altered, or the basin enlarged. If so, it was all done by hand. People worked in those days; and we who live by the profits of that pioneer labor do well now and then to reflect on the patience and unflagging zeal of those early settlers of the town, even the obscure and unimposing builders of corn-mills or pail-factories at the Upper Falls or the Lower Falls of the "Great Brook" in Chester.
The history of roads since 1869 is practically one of abandonment, no new ones having been built and several having been discontinued. In the past few years, however, the "Good Roads" movement has ac- quired great momentum, due to the largely increased number of auto- mobiles now in use, and Chester has not been backward in responding to the call for the improved highways of the state system. Nearly six miles have already been built from the village square toward adjoining towns and ere long there will be a first-class road across the town in both directions.
EARLY TAVERNS
In the early days of the town a large amount of the travel from the places north of us and from Vermont was through Chester, as this town was on the natural route to Haverhill and the coast towns.
Produce from the upper part of the state was taken to market by
413
MILLS, ROADS AND TAVERNS
means of ox-teams at first, then by horses and supplies for the country stores were hauled back. It was long a custom for some farmers to go to Newburyport for a barrel of fish to salt down for winter use.
There were many stage routes through Chester. As early as 1779 men were regularly appointed to ride out from the Post-Office at Portsmouth with what mail there might be and these men were called "post riders."
The first stage route from Haverhill to Concord was started in Nov., 1793. With the advent of stages, there was need of taverns and the town has been noted for a number of these favorite hostelries. These were not all running at the same time, yet quite a number were, for the town then covered a large area, and travel was much slower in those days.
An early tavern was kept by one Samuel Anderson in 1805 on the Turnpike. The place is on what is the state road in Candia. Here was an early post office and the Anderson Tavern had a good run of custom. In October, 1821, this tavern-a large two-story house with an ell and a large stable and barn and contents, including "twenty-three horses and eleven swine"-was burned. Mr. Anderson re-built and run his tavern until 1838.
This was a very popular place, on account of the proprietor's stories and quaint ways. At the table he would say: "Help your- selves, gentlemen, to such as you like best: beef-steak, pork-steak, turkey, chicken or fowl." There was always enough good food pro- vided. but no such variety as this. At the store, he always asked for "'lasses, tea, sugar, coffee and spice."
There were often so many guests, some would have to sleep on the floor before the fire-place. There were no stoves then. Landlord Anderson said it took two hundred cords of wood a year to run the house. Besides the tavern, he carried on a large business farming, coopering and repairing the turnpike, which was fifteen miles long.
Another noted tavern was Head's in what is now Hooksett Village. This was kept by Samuel Head who was a good landlord. His descend- ants still live in Hooksett.
At the old toll-gate corner, where Frank Forsaith now lives, Ste- phen Clay kept a tavern in or about 1802. The one, who tended the toll-gate, lived in a small house near the road. This was built in 1805. Large droves of cattle, sheep and hogs were driven from the country to market over this road. One man pulled a sheep through a window and then down cellar, then complained to the driver that the sheep troubled him. He didn't say how he liked the mutton he had stolen. This house still stands and some of the original clap-boards are still on it, although never painted. There were other small taverns in this part of the town.
The Folsom Tavern was on the Londonderry Turnpike, two miles from Massabesic, where Mr. Parker's foreman now lives. This was built about 1806 by John Folsom and kept by him until he moved to Derry in 1846. He was an ancestor of the late Mrs. Charles Pettee of Derry. This tavern was a favorite spot for rum hunters, as were all taverns in these days.
Near the Long Meadow (now part of Auburn), Capt. John Wason kept a tavern for many years. Being near the meeting house, people went to the tavern during the intermission to get warmed within and without. Such was the custom of the times. Another tavern was kept by Miles Burnham, who lived near where the Congregational Church in Auburn now stands.
Sometimes it is said a tavern was kept "Hatter Underhill style."
414
HISTORY OF CHESTER
This referred to the guests having to sleep on the floor. One Moses Underhill, a hatter by trade, kept a tavern on the Hooksett road and the guests were given bearskins to sleep on. From this, it gained the name "Bear Tavern." Daniel Webster stopped at this tavern when a young boy. A big fire place in this hotel took in wood eight feet long. This tavern was running about 1775.
A man named Henry Arwin kept a tavern, "Hatter Underhill style," then sold out to Ezra Badger. His guests also slept on the floor.
Deacon Ezekiel H. Kelley in 1792 bought a place a mile from the Bear Tavern, towards Hooksett. The deacon kept his house in "good style and had a good run of custom." There was a large stable and often the yard would be full of teams waiting, with others along the road. Mr. Kelley said that frequently he hauled home a load of hay and fed it out baiting horses before he could get it unloaded into his stable. Deacon Kelley was father of Mrs. Lizzie Donovan, who lived in the house where Cyrus F. Marston now lives. When a girl Mrs. Donovan used to walk from her home on the Hooksett road to the church in the village, carrying her shoes in her hand till near the church.
Captain Jonathan Blunt was an inn-keeper around 1730. He owned the place where Robert H. Hazelton now lives. Later this place was bought by William Bell, a great grand-father of Mrs. Wil- liam Jones. He kept a tavern too and, at one time, there was a merry- go-round in the field next to it.
An early tavern in town was the Tolford House, situated on Wal- nut Hill where Clarence O. Morse now lives. The house was built and used as a garrison. The second story was enclosed with a brick and mortar wall, so the inmates could be protected from the attacks of the Indians. There was a well in the cellar. This was the place for the stage drivers to change horses and it had a good trade. In 1883, Mr. Morse took down the old house and built a new one. He says that, in one stick of timber taken from the old house, there were five hundred feet of lumber.
Pearson Richardson, born in 1742, was one of sixteen to start the Baptist Church, which held meetings in a large hall of his tavern. Meetings were held there from 1819-1823, when a church was built. This tavern was the Charles S. Wilcomb place, now owned by his sons. After Richardson owned it, it was run by a Glidden, who was in a way related to the Wilcombs.
Under the Richardson regime, it was customary to partake of warming spirits while getting warm outwardly by the fire.
The Orcutt Tavern, was built and run first by Tappan Webster in 1787. This place was occupied for a time by Lord Timothy Dexter and is now owned by Amos Tuck French, who has made many im- provements.
At the foot of Wilson Hill was a large house and two barns. This was known as Wilson's tavern, built around 1809. Here, it is said, there were sometimes over one hundred horses put up at one time. Stage-drivers changed horses here,. After being vacant for many years, it gained the name of "The Haunted House." This house was taken down by William H. West and used in building his place on the Derry Road.
Where Mr. Gillingham now lives, was once a tavern run by James Monroe Elliot. This was a popular place and in the days when rum flowed freely, it is said that sometimes it was an inch deep on the bar- room floor.
The Chester Inn, now owned and run by Mrs. Sarah Dolber, was
415
HISTORIC SPOTS AND HOUSES
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.