USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Goshen > History of Goshen, New Hampshire : settled, 1769, incorporated, 1791 > Part 24
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
8. Abigail, b. May 1, 1791; m. Rev. John Lawton.
9. Henry, b. June 19, 1796; d. June 13, 1864.
Hist of Hillsborough, Vol. 2, Browne; 1921.
273
274
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
window-glass for the meeting-house was donated by him in 1816. His counsel was sought in local affairs. His barn, standing about opposite the Corners schoolhouse, was the largest in the com- munity and many a traveling menagerie, having exhibited in town, or en route to larger centers, has put up for the night in its spaciousness. The review of the 31st Reg't, N. H. Militia in Sept., 1827, was held in the great field, purchased of Allen Willey, that stretched away to the west of it.
Tradition paints him a jolly man, full of fun and fond of good-natured pranks. One of these pranks-apparently enjoyed by the neighbors because long-remembered by them-was built around three men of convivial habits who may have been mak- ing nuisances of themselves. They met at the Corner Store as usual, tied their nags to the rail outside and sauntered in. As usual, it is presumed, they called for Barnes' famed cherry-rum and set in for an evening of it. As the night advanced and the three became more sodden Barnes slipped out unnoticed and changed each horse about. When finally the three loungers de- parted in the dark they each mounted the horse that was tied where supposedly left and rode away, quite oblivious of the distinguishing gait or markings of his steed. The glee with which Barnes seized upon the resulting confusion apparently overcame his fear of losing a customer.
A jolly man - and yet a stubborn one! The story of his de- termination is still an epic in this region. The belief prevailed among his fellow-townsmen that he had abundant means and yet he allowed himself to be confined in debtor's-prison at Charles- town and spent, if dates can be trusted, thirty years there!
He was styled a "trader" and records bear this out. His ledger* carried well-known names of Washington, Lempster, Newport and Sunapee men, besides those of his own town. In his trading he fell into the pitfall of perpetual law-suits, suing and being sued, winning court-decisions and losing others. The
*The preservation of Luther Barnes' ledger is one of the marvels that occasionally reward the historian. Its circuitous journey cannot be definitely traced. It came into the author's possession from the estate of Miss Emma Thatcher, nearly thirty years ago and remained unrecognized until recently. Although its title-page is blank there are valid proofs of Barnes' ownership. Substantially bound in leather, its pages later offered room for blacksmith's accounts, many of them apparently in William H. McCrillis's handwriting. Miss Thatcher had McCrillis connections.
275
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
record of his legal adventures not only illuminates in sharp focus the attempts of his generation to discourage debt, but provides the necessary preface to what later befell him.
Thus, March 28, 1816, Luther and Cyrus Barnes, both listed as of Goshen, "partners in trade," received judgment against John Currier, Jr., of Wendell in the amount of $15.60, with costs of suit $8.16, and in lieu of payment were given possession of young Currier's farm, Lot 12 in the 5th range, Wendell.
Actively pursuing his legal rights, as he saw them, Luther sued, in Sept., 1816, and won judgment against a townsman, Amos Calef, in the sum of $114.83 plus costs of $6.78. Nathan Willey, John Currier and Samuel Chase were appointed ap- praisers and Barnes was awarded a lien on Calef's Lot 50, in the 2nd range, as laid out when a part of Unity. The appraised value of it did not equal the debt, however, and on Dec. 17, 1816, Barnes stated (Cheshire County Deeds, Vol. A, p. 158-9) that by virtue of execution he had taken and, after legally ad- vertising for sale, had sold at public auction property belonging to Amos Calef, viz: "Five stooks and a half of Wheat, struck off for $6.71, and 25 stooks of Rye and Wheat mixed for $33.22 . . which sum satisfies the execution."
In March of the following year (1817), Joseph C. Barnes, a merchant and an older brother, died in Hillsboro. Six weeks later death took a second brother, Jonathan. From neither estate did Luther receive mention. In May Luther was at Boston, or, more correctly, Amherst,* and gave Benjamin French and Jere- miah Hill, merchants, doing business under the firm name of Benjamin French and Company, a promissory note for value received, in the sum of $260.16. He was again at Amherst, Dec. 17 of that year, this time to give John Eaton, Jr., his note for $650.60. It is not apparent whether this involved a new con- signment, or a totalling of previous invoices. In the depressed financial economy of the times these combined sums represented a large investment. French & Co. had been requesting payment and now the two firms evidently compared notes and Barnes
*Court Records of Hillsborough County, Vol. 14, pps. 307-329.
276
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
was subjected to demands from both. Failing to get a settlement, his two creditors brought suit against him in the Court of Com- mon Pleas for Hillsborough County, in Feb., 1818.
Although Barnes gained a short respite upon his plea that he "never promised (the plaintiffs) in manner and form alleged," and was permitted to deduct the costs of court from their re- spective bills, the cold fact remained that his notes, voluntarily signed, were in the hands of his creditors and must be settled. This he must have realized. When the appealed trial came up on April 18, this time in Superior Court, though "having been three times solemnly called," he failed to appear, either in per- son or by attorney. It was therefore plainly the duty of the court to pronounce him in default, with added costs accruing.
For this action the only possible excuse would have been that he lacked the ready means to clear himself. Yet his ledger shows that a large percentage of customer-accounts had been settled by means of due-bills and private notes during November, 1817. Although these accounts were individually small their aggregate represented a goodly sum. The few accounts remaining were collected early in February, 1818, just prior to the Hillsboro trial, save for less than a half-dozen which lingered until March 3, 1820. Hardly a lack of funds, one would say.
What further steps were taken by the Boston merchants is not known, nor can it be said if any were necessary. Barnes may have made payment. This uncertainty need not have arisen but for a fire in the Superior Court building at Nashua years ago, which resulted in the destruction of many volumes of records from 1820 forward, the wanted years. However, comparative dates render it unlikely that the Boston firms were responsible for his imprisonment. Chronologically, then, the narration of events must proceed with the positive items at hand.
On Aug. 4, 1818, Barnes ostensibly sold the store and its sur- rounding premises to Capt. Solomon Whitehouse of Pembroke, consideration, $1,000. In view of the known fact that his wife Sarah, or Sally, eventually removed to Pembroke and that she retained the store property by right of dower until April, 1854,
27"
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
the supposition that it was only a covering transaction is made obvious, unless it be presumed the basis of a mortgage, and it is not so specified .*
Shortly after deeding to Whitehouse, news came of the death in Puerto Rico of his younger brother, Cyrus, who had removed to Boston somewhat earlier. The two had been in business to- gether so recently that it is believed there were still investments held jointly. This was certainly true of the John Currier, Jr. farm which Luther, in May, 1819, released to Currier, who was then living in Brownington, Vt. Luther signed off for his brother's share, although not he but Samuel, two years his senior, had been appointed administrator of Cyrus' estate. He may have been within his legal rights in doing this, yet the matter was visibly fraught with danger.
In May, 1819, he sued Reuben Farnsworth of Washington for the sum of $99.25 and won a favorable verdict which was later re-affirmed. Conversely, in the following October, Barnes was sued by James Breck of Newport for the face of a promissory note for $77.56 and, again failing to appear in his own defense, was adjudged in default. The date became 1820, but Luther's page was blank; no more entries in the ledger; no mention of his name.
As though to prove this to be one period of his detention at Charlestown, supporting evidence is afforded by town records certifying that a liquor-dispenser's license was granted in 1821 to "H. Sprague in store formerly occupied by Joseph Gage." This was definitely decided in 1903 to refer to the Barnes store. It was also told by elderly citizens that 1820 was the crucial year; Luther sued his brother's estate and, losing the contest, refused to honor a counter-judgment of around $1,000. A brother's estate? Four brothers had already diedt and Oct. 21, 1822, the
*Cheshire County, Reg. of Deeds.
+Local tradition quotes Luther as saying, "If my brother wants to put me in jail, I am going to let him."
A cryptic notation found upon a detached sheet of paper in his ledger and apparently in his own handwriting, credits Ripley Bingham with a payment to "L. Barnes, Nov. 1817, cash at Charlesto(w)n, $1.12." This antedates, as will be seen, any previous refer- ence to his imprisonment and is given here for its face value.
278
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
fifth, Samuel, a successful merchant of Hillsboro, was removed by death.
Yet Luther was again residing at Goshen in May, 1823, we know by entries in the T. M. Fuller account-book, recently made available. Further small transactions occurred in Feb., 1825 and Sept. 29, 1826. April 6, 1825, he was appointed co-commissioner for the Capt. Parker estate, a man of apparent standing, enjoying the confidence of his contemporaries. Had there been anything unethical in his dealings over the years this appointment would have been impossible.
However, the closing months of 1826 must perforce mark the point when Barnes took final departure for debtors' prison, though cause and claimant are still obscure.
It is said that John McCrillis and Benjamin Cofran immedi- ately became bondsmen for Barnes, thereby affording him some small liberties and at length the confines of the village of Charlestown were opened to him. In these bettered circumstances Barnes passed the long years, busily engaged in various tasks for which his ability fitted him, but to the end a prisoner. Mean- while his wife occupied the little, back counting-room of the store. How could his old neighbors maintain their belief that he was a "jolly man?"
By December, 1827, Barnes' taxes were in arrears and being advertised in the Spectator. Five contiguous lots, numbered 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, in the third division in Lempster were to be sold at public vendue, March 8, 1828, unless taxes were paid. March 23, 1829, Vinal Gunnison, tax collector of Goshen, gave notice to non-resident proprietors and owners concerning their unpaid taxes. Among these was "Daniel Wild, for the Luther Barnes farm; 2 acres of arable land, 8 of mowing, 10 acres of pasture and 2 of orcharding; highway tax, $3.78; town tax, $1,98; school tax $1.73; state tax .76c and county tax .36c." Had he been as financially able as believed, would he not have paid these insignificant amounts?
Season followed season, until twelve years had passed, and the recalcitrant debtor at Charlestown may well have anticipated release. His old store, with its bustle and roistering, was but a
279
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
dwelling house now, wherein Sarah Barnes hopefully awaited the imminent return of her husband. Old neighbors had gone and new names had appeared. Such items were noted in the report of appraisers as the fact that John Thompson had come into possession of property formerly belonging to Arrouet Gun- nison and Nathan Willey; that James Breck, who, it will be remembered, had sued Barnes twenty years earlier, had been replaced by Levi Trow. The estate of John Cutter (Jr .? ) was now occupied by Henry Beard. New names, new faces. Twelve years . . .
Fantastic beyond present-day understanding are the records that at this point appeared (Sullivan County Registry of Deeds). While Barnes was still at Charlestown a sheriff was dispatched from Newport to notify him of the judgment recovered against him, on the third Tuesday of April, 1838, by David Dean, Gen- tleman, of Claremont. Of the charges, or preceding events, which occasioned this action, no record is found, beyond the statement that the sum in question amounted to $237.62, "debt, damage and costs."
The warrant for Barnes was phrased in appalling terms. Pre- sumably warrants are always appalling.
"We command you, therefore," it read, "that the goods, chattels and lands of the Defendant . . be seized .. and for want of goods, chattels or lands shown unto you or found within your precinct . . we command you to take the body of the said Defendant and him commit into our Gaol . . and detain in your custody within our said Gaol until he pay the full sums above mentioned, with your fees, or that he be discharged by the said Plaintiff, the creditor . .
Following custom, appraisers were appointed; Ambrose Cossit of Claremont for the plaintiff, and Levi Trow, representing Barnes. To this board Virgil Chase, J. P., was added. It is stated that after "carefully and attentively examining the real estate the said Barnes holds and enjoys as the property of his wife, Sarah Barnes, and in her right," the appraisers found that the rents, issues and profits of the estate were of an annual value of $17.53 "and no more." They thereupon assigned to Dean, the plaintiff, this income, "to have, hold and enjoy the same until May 18, 1854, which will be in full satisfaction of this execution."
280
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
If the legal world of that day had been made up of madmen, no greater travesty of justice could have been wrought than this - to hold a man prisoner while a yearly pittance of $17.53 was eking itself out. And why did Barnes submit? No answer is forthcoming. Some crumb of comfort may have been derived by the forlorn couple from the thought that their case would add its mite to the final abandonment of an iniquitous law.
It is evident that Mrs. Barnes was brought to the point of ultimate removal, for on April 19, 1854, she gave her residence as Pembroke. A deed to the old Corner Store was signed that day by the two of them. It read: "We," - still united, even after thirty-four years separation - "We, Luther Barnes of Charlestown and Sarah Barnes of Pembroke, in the right of said Sarah, in consideration of $1,000. well and truly paid by John Knox of Pembroke, do bargain, sell . . "
Would that their story ended on a happier note, but there is no more to tell. Known sources of information have been ex- hausted. The victor, so far as known, did not boast, nor the vanquished cry. The law had sternly exacted its penalty and was as sternly accepted.
Ozem McCrillis
Some time after Barnes' enforced departure, probably about 1825, Ozem McCrillis opened a store. Local tradition places it at the McCrillis house, since burned. Indeed, a photograph taken at the McCrillis centennial celebration, in 1873, shows a sign over the ell-door, as of store or postoffice. The N. H. Spec- tator, in its issue of April 14, 1829, recorded the appointment of Ozem McCrillis, Esqr., "Post Master at Goshen, vice J. Cutter, Esqr., deceased." Subsequently Mr. McCrillis removed to Dexter, Maine, still in the mercantile field, and later to Boston, achiev- ing in both locations a substantial success. In 1842 the store was under the proprietorship of John McCrillis, Jr.
The Union Store
About 1854 the "Union Store" was launched in the old Cor- ner stand, under control of a local stock-company of which E. C. Converse, later of Newport, was acting head. During that year
281
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
the building was sold and moved to Newport and built over into the old Phoenix Hotel, which later burned. Stock in trade of the Union Store was promptly transferred to the lower floor of the Harvey Baker house, then standing closely to the north of the present Steel poultry farm, and was there continued for ten years, or so. Mr. Converse probably sold to a Mr. Cooper, who was followed after a short interval, by a proprietor named Glidden.
At various periods a store was kept on the upper floor of this same building, by one of the Bingham men about 1833-5, later by men named Heywood and Greenleaf. In the old tavern, too, Capt. Levi Trow kept a limited variety of goods for sale, though never in an extensive way.
During the years of greatest prosperity at the Corners, three stores were simultaneously in full operation. As an evidence of the volume of trade at this time it is told that, on many an eve- ning, one clerk was kept busy at the "West Injy" molasses hogs- head in the back-store, drawing molasses for his customers, though cold weather could have rationalized this otherwise re- markable statement.
Harvey D. Baker
An enterprising meat-business was carried on at the Corners by Harvey Baker for many years. Two fine barns, one of which is still standing in its original location, though now converted by extensive alterations into a poultry-house, were built in 1886, both being equipped with all needful appliances for handling the large quantities of beef, pork and mutton that were annually shipped to Boston markets. Two meat-carts, selling at retail, made regular trips throughout the town.
Curtis Travers
Antedating Mr. Baker's enterprise was the large slaughter- house conducted by Curtis Travers. It stood immediately across the road from the present Bergaminni house, a long, low build- ing that in the cool days of late fall was often decorated with a continuous row of dressed hogs and beeves.
282
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
Dressmakers and Milliners
Mrs. Curtis Travers, dressmaker and milliner, was known in all the surrounding homes for her good taste in clothes and her excellent workmanship. Something as near an aristocracy as was possible in a country town, had developed at the Corners and its ladies could not be put off with anything less than the best.
In the preceeding years, it had been Aunt Abigail Calef, a maiden-lady of much worth, who had cut and stitched the femi- nine finery.
Parker Richardson and Subsequent Owners of The Village Store
At Mill Village the first general store was built about 1834, a few rods south of the "mill-house," so-called, now Greyholme, facing easterly to the street. It stood but one story high in front but, projecting rearward over the bank-wall, had a basement storehouse beneath. It became a dwelling in after years and Lester P. Emery, now of Newport, recalls that his parents, John Q. A. and Eda (Maxfield) Emery, began housekeeping here in 1875-6. It was finally moved behind Mrs. Frank Shaw's residence (the Martin Tatro place), a row of horse-sheds connected with it having been previously set back upon the river-bank. In the Sketch of Goshen it is called the Emerson Store, although the reason for so doing is not made plain. Lewis & Huntley are said to have been the first proprietors and succeeding merchants passed rapidly, a Gilman and Philo Fuller (1842), until its purchase by Parker Richardson, who soon - in 1844 - aban- doned the location in favor of a new site at the south end of the village, so well chosen as to last through all the intervening years down to the present day. A small sheep-barn was moved from across the highway and remodeled into a store, hardly pretentious, it may be assumed, though for the day it sufficed. With industrious frugality Mr. Richardson plied his various trades, storekeeper, coffin-maker, civic leader, for nearly a quar- ter-century.
During this period (1860?), it is recalled that Thomas ("Phil'') Whitaker for a short time had a store in the brick house of 'Squire Chase's, at the Village.
About 1868 Mr. Richardson transferred ownership to Dexter
283
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
Dodge who immediately added a store-room at the rear of the building, an indication of increased business. But the store was most thoroughly built over during the ownership (1868-1888) of Elisha H. Carr, afterward postmaster at Newport. Living- rooms were built on at the south end and the roof lifted to add more space above, while the interior of the store was en- larged and entirely remodeled. Mr. Carr had means and initia- tive and became a figure of prominence in the political life of Sullivan County. A young relative, Robert Morrill, who clerked in the store, became very popular with the younger set. Trap- shooting had a flair of popularity during the last years of Mr. Carr's occupancy and was presumably sponsored by him. By going up the old roadway between the library and the Metho- dist horse-sheds, a sand-bank at the top of the hill was found to be an adequate bunker, and here the storekeeper and "Rob- bie" Morrill, Ezra Pike, Frank and Joe Winter and others of the sporting group would try breaking the blue-glass "pigeons" on frequent fair afternoons. A visiting youngster, Ezra Hibbard by name, usually was told off to spring the trap, with the lan- yard about his waist, and was greatly envied by the town-boys. A large dog, benevolent when order reigned, policed the store- premises with great thoroughness.
In 1888 Mr. Carr's interests were purchased by Elmer D. Farr and Nathan S. Tandy, cousins, who operated under the firm name of Farr & Tandy (a paraphrase by a playful billing-clerk once made their order read, "Tarr and Candy.")
Mr. Tandy, with a large family of girls, lived across the road from the store in the present McClellan house. They were active in the church and public affairs and their removal from town in the course of three years' time was much regretted.
The store was bought in 1891 by Lorenzo S. Chamberlain, who, though a Goshen native, had been previously operating a store in Guilford, Vt. He was thrifty and prospered. Order- and-delivery-teams were at various times sent out through Lempster and Unity, as well as Goshen. Country produce was taken in trade and Mr. Chamberlain built up a rather extensive side-line in buying and shipping green hides. It was a genuine
284
MERCHANTS AND TRADESPEOPLE
country-store, carrying groceries, medicines, confectionery, kero- sene-oil, dry-goods, and all kinds of stock-feed in a special grain- room that was provided with a loading-platform outside. A pub- lic telephone was installed at the store, when few householders were able to see much value in the novelty, save in emergencies. It was connected with a privately-owned line that had been brought over the mountain by. Wallace Dole of Washington and was later acquired by William E. Howe. The advent of the first trading-stamps, to be redeemed in chinaware, elicited pleased ap- proval from the majority of housewives. Mr. Chamberlain also assumed the agency for a metallic cemetery-monument known by the trade-name of "white bronze."
In December, 1908, Mr. Chamberlain entered into an agree- ment with Fred C. Knight whereby he was to surrender owner- ship when his stock in trade had been reduced to a figure ac- ceptable to Mr. Knight. This occurred in the following May, whereupon Mr. Chamberlain retired to the old farm, which for many generations had been retained in the Tandy family (his mother was Mary Ann (Tandy) Chamberlain). Here he died in May, 1914.
Mr. Knight had grown up in town, working away for a few years, but returning in 1901 to go into partnership with his brother, Arial W. Knight, in a steam-powered shingle-mill and cider-mill located at the parental home. The business did not show a sustained financial return and he transferred his interest to the store. In 1912 the store was acquired by Orra S. Lear.
Mr. Lear had been a farmer at North Goshen. Marrying Miss Althine F. Sholes, he removed to her place at the Village. For a short time Miss Maude Mitchell had a limited financial in- terest in the store and the title O. S. Lear & Co., was adopted. Mr. Lear died Nov. 16, 1913, but the business was continued by Mrs. Lear, with a distant kinsman of her husband's, Arthur M. Lear, as store manager, until 1919. At this time J. F. Clark purchased the business, retaining it but a short time, when he sold to John G. Pike, Sr., in 1920.
Mr. Pike was employed by the State Highway Department as patrolman and the care of the store and postoffice therefore
285
HISTORY OF GOSHEN, N. H.
largely devolved upon Mrs. Pike. In addition to these duties and those of her household the storekeeper was expected to oversee weighing at the town-scales, for which a small fee was charged. A gasoline-pump was installed and the grain-room closed - exchange of a new era for the old. Shortly, the old "ell" was torn down and a new part erected, two stories in height, and built with a view to comfort and utility, the car- penter work being done by L. Y. Bowlby. Civic responsibilities were accepted by the Pikes and jointly shared. Mr. Pike served as selectman, town treasurer and director of the Dartmouth- Lake Sunapee Regional Association, early in its formation. Their three children were educated in the public schools of Goshen and Newport and went on to college; John Jr. and Edith F. both graduating at the University of N. H., and Howard E., now a vice-president of National Airlines in Florida, from the Univer- sity of Georgia.
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.