USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 67
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 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
561
TOWN OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
to Groveton, and was actively engaged in lumber manufacturing until his death, January 20, 1884.
In 1883 a new "four-foot" wheel was put in to use the water going over the dam. One wheel of the original mill ran a grist-mill and clap- board planer, but in October, 1835, a new grist mill was completed. The main mill is one hundred and seventy feet in length by thirty six in width, an addition of thirty feet being made in the spring of 1854, and a large "Wood's " planer added. The firm name at Northumberland was at first Gilbert Soule & Co., while at Portland it was Holyoke, Benson & Co. This continued until 1874, when it became Gilbert Soule in both places. Since Captain Soule's death the business has been carried on by the heirs as "Gilbert M. Soule." The production of the mill during 1887 was about 4,500,000 feet. At 418 Commercial street, Portland, they have a wharf, office, and planing-mill.
Capt. Soule was of vigorous physique, strong, influential and energetic, an industrious and valued citizen, a reader of sterling literature, and a man of independent thought and reflection. His height was five feet, eleven inches, and average weight about 230 pounds. His light blue eyes were accompanied by dark brown hair. He was of a pleasant, social and genial nature, looking rather upon the bright than the dark side, and in all the relations of life he made sunshine by his cheery presence. Congregational in his religious belief, he yet gave liberally to all Christian work. Repub- lican in his politics, ever an ardent partisan, yet he was not an aspirant for office.
He was an early member of Ammonoosuc Lodge, I. O. O. F., Grove- ton, and an active worker for its interests. As an employer he was never dictatorial, but the considerate kindness which ever actuated him and was shown in his intercourse with his workmen gained for him their good will and esteem. He was much interested in historical and genealogical works, was a generous contributor to the Pilgrims' monument erected at Ply- mouth, Massachusetts, and was justly proud of being a descendant of the "Mayflower" band. He inherited their sterling qualities, and many traits of the Soule family have descended through him to his children. That kindly, filial spirit of John Soule which led him to honor, respect and cherish his father in his old age, is also shown in the veneration and love of the present generation for the memory of their father.
STARK
CHAPTER LVIII.
Stark-"Devil's Slide "-" Devil's Hop-yard "-Christine Lake and Percy Summer Club- Soil-Minerals - Percy - Boundaries - Legislative Acts-Petition for Incorporation-Names of Grantees-Proprietors' Meeting-Records, Etc.
S TARK lies on the Upper Ammonoosuc river. It is bounded north by Stratford and Odell, east by Dummer and Milan, south by Kilkenny, and west by Northumberland. The surface is broken and hilly, but upon the river there are many good farms. The north and south branches of the Ammonoosuc form a junction in the northeast part of the town. Nash's stream, flowing from Stratford, falls into the river in the north, and Perey or Christine lake is in the eastern portion. Near the village there is a narrow passage-way between the mountains, through which runs the river, the railroad, and a wagon road. On the south side of the Ammo- noosuc is Mill mountain, rising very abruptly to the height of over 3,000 feet.
The " Devil's Slide" is a ledge on the north side of the river, rising per- pendicularly, while on the other side, cattle may be driven to its top. The perpendicular walls of this precipitous mountain rise to the height of 740 feet. "The Indians, as is well known, peopled all these mountain regions with invisible spirits who controlled the winds and storms, and in their quarrels hurled gleaming thunder bolts at each other, the effects of which were seen in the splintered trees and shivered rocks; and they had a tra- dition that in a remote age a huge mountain barred the valley where now the railroad passes, and that on a time when the heavens were convulsed, the earth reeling, and the atmosphere blazing with the terrible warfare of these invisible powers, one-half of the mountain sunk down into the bowels of the earth, leaving the precipitous sides of the other bare and shattered as they are to the present day. Hence the name."
The " Derit's Hop-yard" is located nearly three miles southeast of Stark station. It is reached through a path winding through a rugged bowlder-
563
TOWN OF STARK.
strewn forest along a noisy brawling mountain stream for the first part of the way. The last half mile is, however, pathless, and lies in a tangled thicket of larch and birch, with moss of wonderful variety and beauty ankle deep Suddenly you come upon a ravine a mile in length. The little brook at the bottom runs into one of the seven beautiful " Sonth ponds." Where you first arrive you stand on the verge and look down a chasm of thirty feet. The break is abrupt, the transition surprising. Broken ledges are on either side of a gap of several rods in width, and the bottom of the gorge is filled with great bowlders which line both of the sloping sides of the chasm. Between the rocks the slightly wooded slopes are covered with thick and fine gray moss; a different variety, however, on each side. No water is seen, as the bowlders conceal the tiny rill. De- scending to the bottom, we follow the chasm over a mile through impres- sive scenery. Immense trees span the valley with their roots and tower heavenward. As we go on, the brook appears as the bowlders disappear, and open valley succeeds to wild defile. Just as we are wondering if this is all, we reach the brink of another precipice, over which the brook dashes in a foamy fall of great beauty with three leaps of twenty feet each. Picking our way cautiously, we are soon in an "ante-room " of the yard. Here ledges rise in broken courses of gigantic masonry, -many as regular as if laid with plummet and square, and fantastic and weird in their gray- brown coloring-for seventy feet. Turn around! The amphitheater in which you stand has an opening shaped like the letter U. Advancing to the edge and looking down, the eye penetrates nearly 200 feet into one of the wildest gorges of wild New Hampshire. Into this the little brook plunges noisily, and in a few feet hides itself under the bowlders filling the upper end, and by aid of which we descend. From the bottom we look up. On the right stands "the Look-out," a huge gray sentinel. lift- ing its 250 feet of smooth granite precipitously, square as a die, and covered with pines, into the air. On the left, great giant ledges, broken but yet grand, tower sky-ward. Further south rises the " choir " like the facade of a great cathedral; block laid on block, with joints broken regu- larly like a masterpiece of masonry, for full 120 feet in height, and sur- mounted and crowned with a majestic fretwork of pinnacles of evergreen trees. Opposite the " choir " a break in the wall gives a way of egress. By following the brook other cascades and bits of scenery nearly as grand continue for an eighth of a mile further, when the ledges disappear, and the brook empties into South pond, a pretty sheet of water. The " Hop- yard " receives its name from a fancied resemblance of its tall evergreen trees covered with trailing streamers of gray moss to a hop-yard with its poles covered with heavily laden vines.
The scenery of Stark is both wild and picturesque and it is a delightful ride from Groveton up the narrow and winding valley of the upper Am-
564
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
monoosuc, through Stark, to the high land beyond. From this point a full view of the mountains is had, looking away to the southward, while the two valleys, still heavily wooded, stretch away for miles on either hand The scene is more broken and varied from other points of view, the notches being cut more deeply between the mountains, and the mountains themselves throwing a sharper outline against the sky. It is pleasant to linger here through a clear autumn afternoon and see the sun go down, and return to the valley below in the early evening.
Christine Lake .*- North pond for many years was a favorite fishing- ground for the sportsmen of Northern New Hampshire. It is a beautiful sheet of water, bordered by deep-foliaged woods, which are set around about by the granite peaks of Stark and Stratford. Right in this glorious amphitheater of mountains the basin of the lake is found. Its altitude is about 2,000 feet above the sea; its length is one and a half miles; its width one-half mile. The lake is fed by spring brooks that fall into the upper end. The over-flow emerges at the eastern rim of the basin, and after tumbling in white cascades down several hundred feet in a distance of half a mile, falls into the Upper Ammonoosuc river at Percy station on the Grand Trunk railway.
Trout are the only fish in the lake. In early times great numbers were caught and carried away by visiting fishermen. Before 1883 scores of people from neighboring towns would go to the pond, and, cutting holes in the ice, take large quantities for the market as well as for their own use. It was estimated by a competent authority that in the spring of 1883 at least half a ton of trout was thus caught and carried off. The result of this wanton destruction was to reduce the supply of fish, so that very few were taken during the open seasons of 1853 and 1884. Since the latter year the fishing has greatly improved. The trout are from four to eight ounces in weight, and are of the finest quality of real "brook trout."
In the spring of 1882 Mr. George P. Rowell, of Lancaster, thinking it would be a very desirable place for a summer camp, made enquiries as to the feasibility of purchasing the land about the pond. Henry Heywood, Esq .. was engaged to negotiate for the land, and, as the result of his en- deavors, lots upon which the pond is situated were purchased of the owner, Mrs. Charlotte Rowell, of Lunenburg, Vt., and conveyed to Mr. Rowell. He invited some friends to unite with him in making a camp at the pond, and, in the fall of 1882, accompanied by Messrs. Samuel H. Kauffmann, of Washington, D. C., Francis H. Leggett and W. D. Wilson, of New York, and Ossian Ray. of Lancaster, the place was visited, at "Camp Percy," so- called .- a rude structure which had been built by S. M. Crawford, the noted hunter and woodsman, for the occasion.
*By Hon. Ossian Ray ..
565
TOWN OF STARK.
These above named gentlemen, with Mr. Charles N. Kent, of New York, organized themselves into a voluntary corporation, under the laws of the state, which they called the "Percy Summer Club," "for the purpose of main- taining a place of resort and recreation for its members and its guests; promoting and encouraging field sports: propagating, cultivating, and pro- tecting brook trout and other food and game fishes in the streams, ponds and lakes, as well as land-game of every sort, in the County of Coos and State of New Hampshire: with the object of enjoying the sports of rod and gun, and developing the resources of said County of Coos in these directions."
The first annual meeting of the club was held September 13, 1883. At this session of the club is was voted to re-name North pond and call it " Christine Lake " in honor of Mrs. Christine Coates, of Philadelphia, the first lady visitor entertained at the camp by the club.
During the four years of its existence the club has worked harmoniously together. Five comfortable lodges have been erected; a cottage has been built for the superintendent: a path has been cut to " Giant's Grave. " one mile; and one to North Peak, three miles away, both of which points are aften visited by guests; a fleet of first-class boats has been procured, and a hatching house established under the supervision of Mr. Leggett. as a re- sult of whose efforts upwards of 90,000 young trout have been hatched, and put into the lake and its tributaries. The club is very hospitable, and entertains every season a large number of guests. Aby-law provides that no member or guest shall take over forty fish in any one day. The officers are: President, George P. Rowell, Lancaster; vice-president. Ossian Ray, Lancaster; `secretary, Charles N. Kent. New York: treasurer, Francis H. Leggett, New York: auditor, Samuel H. Kauffmann, Washington, D. C .; superintendent, Stephen M. Crawford, Percy N. II.
The soil is rich, free from stones, and productive in the valleys; hay, oats and potatoes are easily raised, and agriculture is an important busi- ness with the inhabitants.
Population in 1790, 48; 1830, 134: 1850, 418; 1860, 426; 1870, 464; 1880, 690.
Minerals, etc .- A red biotite granite resembling somewhat the red Scotch granite, but finer, and not permeated with the " pin holes " occur- ring in that, has been quite extensively quarried. A monument of this granite exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, in 1876, re- ceived a medal and diploma " for the good quality of the material."
Pike's pond has a deposit of the white light earth sometimes called in - fusorial silica. It seems to be distributed over the entire bottom of the pond, is known to be three feet in depth, and is probably much more. It is of excellent quality, and the quantity sufficient for commercial use.
Many people have taken specimens from the well-known labradorite
56€
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
bowlders of this town. They are found in no other place in this section, but are abundant here.
Stark was originally Percy, which name was given to the territory granted August 3, 1774, by Gov. John Wentworth to Jacob Walden and others. Percy was the family name of the Duke or Earl of Northumber- land, and one of the family, Rev. Thomas Percy, was at that time chap- lain to the King. This probably indicates the origin of the name inserted in the charter. and also of that of the adjacent town of Northumberland.
Brundrates Given in the Charter. - " Beginning at a red birch tree in the north side of Lancas- ter from thence running north, seventy-one degrees east, six miles and seventy rods to a red birch, the southwesterly corner of land laid out for Gen. Winston, thence north, eight degrees east, six miles and forty rods to a beech, the northwesterly corner of said Winston's location, thence north, eighty-two degrees west, five hundred and seventy rods to the line of Stratford; thence south, two degrees east, seven hundred and fifty rods to the southwesterly corner of said Stratford, thence north, fifty-five degrees west, four miles two hundred and seventy rods to a spruce, the northeast- erly corner of Northumb rland, thence south, seven degrees west, nine miles to the bounds be- gan at."
The town was incorporated as " Piercy," January 9, 1795. By act passed June 21, 1832, the tract of land embraced in ranges 17, 18, 19 and 20. in the southeast part of Stratford, was annexed to this town, and on the 21st of December of the same year, the tract of land granted to Gen. John Winslow, of Marshfield, Mass., October 21, 1773, containing 5,060 acres, was also annexed to this town. By an act passed December 28. 1832, the name of the town was changed from Piercy to Stark, in honor of Gen. John Stark, then recently deceased. December 4, 1840. a tract of land owned by Elhanan Winchester was severed from this town and annexed to Lancaster. July 1, 1868, a small tract of land was severed from Stark and annexed to Dummer.
Petition of Incorporation: addressed to the General Court, 1794 .- " The petition of the sub- seribers Inhabitants of a New Township called Piercy in the County of Grafton State aforesaid Humbly Shews-
" That we sil subscribers labouring under many inconveniences on Account of our Not being vested with Town Authority by Incorporation, Not only in laying out Roads, and establishing them in the most convenient Routs, but many other inconveniences to the great detriment and pre- venting the settlement of sd New Township-Therefore praying that the Hon'bl General Court, would Incorporate sd New Town-hip into a Town by the Name of Piercy as afores'd thereby Vesting them with Town privileges as other Towns in the State by Law do enjoy-And as in duty Bound will ever pray-
" Piercy May 10th 1791- " Caleb Smith Elisha Blake
'. Jonathan Cole Anthony Clefford Jun
" Barnard Cole Nath'll Dodge
" Clafford Cole Peter Leavitt
" Edmund Cole James Leavitt
" Abner Clark Peter Leavitt Jur
" Aaron Jackson Daniel Miles
" Edward Rowell James Massuere
" John Waid Daniel Rowell"
567
TOWN OF STARK.
Names of Grantees with lots drawn in Ist and 2d Divisions: Jacob Walden, 152-136; Thomas Walden, 13-36; Nath. Treadwell, Jr., 130-169; George Gains, 10-63; Daniel Lunt, 16-61; Mark Sevey, 72-57; Clement March, 159-109; Thomas Ransom, 116-31; Nehemiah Rowell, 149-135; Phillip Pendexter, 129-65; Joshua Crockett, 96-52; Richard Fitzgerald, 117-91; John Hurd, Esq., 154-103; John Sewards, Jr., 12-9; Jacob Treadwell, 147-7; George Rogers Treadwell, 18-47; Nath. Treadwell, 35-119; Frederic Hohn, 157-100; Ammiruhamal Cutler, Esq., 118-26; Charles Cutler, 15-133; Daniel Cutler, 153-45; Thos. Martin, Esq., 123-68; Joshua Martin, 25-58; Joseph Holbrook. 95-55; John Melcher, 2-75; Jona. M. Sewall, 107-69; William Blunt, 155-83; Stephen Somner, 21-137; Francis Little, 124-134; Edward Ayres, 34-89; Samuel Lear, 140-79; John Noble, 151-38; Daniel Rindge Rogers, 71-62; Mark Rogers, 74-80; Hubartus Neal, 32-44; Jos. Peverly, Esq., 144-20; Thos. Peverly, Jr., 93-86; Daniel Spaulding, 110-1; John Sanborn, 139-48; Wm. Marshall, 23-43; Caleb Marshall, 70-98; Silas Marshall, 105-54; Eliphalet Day, 131-67; Moses Da- vis, 121-39; Moses Marshall, 94-81; Jesse Johnson, 118-50; Stephen Wells, 24-41; Jesse Johnson, Jr., 128-99; Moses Bartlett, 106-82; Jere. Eames, 145-19; Caleb Johnson, 28-164; John Hodgdon, 156-146; Edmund Morse, 162-29; Reuben Harriman, 127-78; Saml. White, Esq., 3-66; Benjamin Currier, 73-42; James Paul, 150-90; Thomas Burnside, 17-60; James Burnside, 22-40; David Burn- side, 33-85; David Paul, 141-51; Abner Osgood, 122-164; Wilham Moulton, 158-49; Arthur Wors- ter, 125-133; Jacob Tilton, 160-36; Joseph Moulton, 112-37, and Caleb Toppan, 30-59; Nathaniel Healy, Esq . 14-27; Geo. Walton, Jr., 115-50; Jonas Clark March, 111-87; Daniel Humphreys, 142-84; Thomas MeDonough, 6-108; Captain John Knight, 114-102; William Lee Perkins, 11-120; William Stanwood, 4-77; Mark Sanborn, 132-46; Josiah Bishop, 161-97; Theodore Atkinson, Esq., 5-143; School right, 126-104; Glebe, 149-101.
The proprietors organized at the inn of Capt. Jacob Tilton, in Ports- mouth, November 22, 1774, under a call issued by Daniel Warner, J. P., October 25, 1774. Committees were appointed at this meeting to " view " the town; for advising the best method of settling; for agreeing with ten settlers, " but not to give said settlers more than 1,500 acres of land, of which also not more than 150 acres is to be intervail"; to treat with the proprietors of Stratford for the purchase of "a certain gore of land wh. will accommodate our lines"; chose Jacob Treadwell collector to collect the tax of twenty shillings which the meeting levied on each original right to pay charges already accrued. February 17, 1779, voted " that there be 10 lots of 120 acres of good land surveyed and lotted together with ten lots of Intervil of 10 acres each, convenient to the afore said lots as may be, which lots are to be given to the first 10 persons that will go on and settle in said town; also that 5 lots of 100 acres with 3 lots of Interval of 10 acres each be allotted as aforesaid, for the five next that shall go on and settle, and that a road be looked out from Connecticut river into said town, and cleared to and through said lots sufficient for a loaded horse to pass well." and committees were appointed to attend to these matters, and "also to cause to be fell from 20 to 30 acres of trees on four or five of said lots"; also a tax of $12 on each share was "raised." The next day the proprie- tors voted "to Lay out 15 upland and 15 interval lots to give to settlers," and "if said committee can engage some good man with property to come whom they shall think will much facilitate the settlement they may give such a person as much land as the majority shall think proper." June 15, 1779, Jacob Treadwell makes report: " he had proceeded to Northumber-
568
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
land, and did his utmost endeavors previous to his going and while there but could not effect the designed purpose (clear a road): that he had made great offers to persons if they would go and settle, without success, by reason of the very great demand for men in the present war-which, together with the several alarms in that country, put it totally out of his power to comply with the vote of the Propriety concerning the settle- ment of the town." Caleb Marshall and Jeremiah Eames had sold their interest shortly before this.
July 29, 1783, Jacob Treadwell appointed to agree with persons to the number of fifteen to settle in Percy. reports " that he had verbally agreed with nine men, each to fell about five acres of trees this fall and to clear and cultivate the sanie next summer, and to reside on the premises or some person or persons under them, said settlers to have 120 acres of upland and 10 acres of interval." Report accepted and Capt. William Marshall, Joseph Peverly. Esq, Thomas Peverly, and Jacob Treadwell made a committee "to look out a good mill stream, and obtain the best information what sum of money or quantity of land, a good set of mills may be built for in said town."
July 23, 1757. Jacob Treadwell reported that he had agreed with twenty- six persons to settle; additional settlers lots were laid out to accommodate more settlers; voted that "the report of Jacob Treadwell having agreed with Caleb Smith to build a saw and grist mill, for which said Smith is to have two hundred and twenty acres of upland chosen by him and thirty acres of interval, is accepted. and that said Treadwell cause said lands to be located for said Smith"; to cut and make a road through Percy; voted " that John Cole have 50 acres of upland with interval not exceeding 5 acres. as a gratuity for his having continued in Percy these 3 last years"; "that Jacob Treadwell have a right to pitch 5 lots of 100 acres each of upland, and a proportionate quantity of interval-to be his first division of 5 rights."
November 26, 1787, voted "that in consideration of Elisha Blake's early moving into the town with his family and considerable property, it is agreed that should his eldest son live in said town until the age of twenty- one years, that he shall be entitled to fifty acres of upland and five acres of interval in said town upon his compliance with the duty of a settler." April 21, 1759, voted to lay a tax of twelve shillings to complete the road through the town, and to finish laying out lots for the settlers; that Thomas Martin, Esq., and Mr. Daniel K. Rogers execute deeds to settlers; that Han- nah Cole be confirmed in all the land voted to her husband, John Cole, pro- viding the settling duty is complied with; that the time for the settlers going into the town be prolonged to July 20. 1790. February 11, 1790. The proceedings of this meeting are interesting. This preamble and vote was the first action :-
569
TOWN OF STARK.
" Whereas, Mr. Peter Leavitt engages to move himself and family into the town the ensuing spring; and making application for settlers' lots for three of his sons which are under age; voted that each of said sons have a settlers' lot when they are of lawful age, on their complying with the duty of settlers, provided the thirty lots voted to settlers are not taken up; it was further voted, that Mr. Daniel Rowel's son Daniel Rowell, have a settlers lot on same conditions; also, that Daniel B. Rogers send Mr. Rowel the sum of 12 shillings in behalf of the propriety, he having the first male child born in the town."
[Daniel Rowell, Jr., came to Stark with his father, and, as mentioned above, although under age, was granted a lot, and in 1803 is spoken of as a resident on lot 16 The child for whom the proprietors sent the twelve shillings to Mr. Rowell was born January 20, 1790, and named Piercy, after the town.]
Business in forming civilization in the new town went on slowly but steadily. The first proprietors' meeting held outside of Portsmouth was at Northumberland, September 15, 1796, at the house of Jeremiah Eames. This and several subsequent meetings were occupied with arrangements to settle all accounts; to give deeds to actual settlers; to complete survey of the town and finish laying out lots; in taxing for making and improving roads, particularly the one laid out from Shelburne to Stratford. Heze- kiah Smith is made clerk, and occupies a responsible and prominent place on committees and in affairs. October 2, 1799, "voted that Emerson Cole shall have 100 acres of land, one half of which he has bought of Abner Clark, adjoining the land of Daniel Rowel, Jr., at Ammonusick, provided he shall continue to live on the same or some person under him for five years. if he will procure Jere. Eames, Jr., to lay out the same at his own expense; also, that Elisha Blake shall have 20 acres given him on the rear of his lot." January 3, 1803, Hezekiah Smith, Joseph Peverly, Esq., and Jonathan Rowel were chosen committee to lay out the town, "draughting " the lots, and drawing the same.
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.