USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hudson > History of Hudson, N.H., formerly a part of Dunstable, Mass., 1673-1733, Nottingham, Mass., 1733-1741, District of Nottingham, 1741-1746, Nottingham West, N.H., 1746-1830, Hudson, N.H., 1830-1912 > Part 34
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
As far as possible, the chapel has been made fireproof, the floor being of reinforced concrete, the exterior of the roof being slated and no exposed woodwork showing on the outside. The interior finish of the roof is of quartered oak; the same material is used for all the trusses and beams in the ceilings and doors, and choir stalls. The floor is red Grueby tile laid in pattern of hexagons and quatrefoils. The interior walls are lined with gray brick up to the spring
of the ceiling. The walls of the chancel are lined with Grueby tiles, many of them made especially for this chapel. Symbols of the Evangelists and other church symbols are indicated on some of the special tiles. The floor of the chancel is of gray Tennessee marble; the altar is of this same gray marble, on the front of which are the letters "I H. S." and a cross in gold; on each side of the chancel are two tablets to mark the names of the remains of those in the crypts underneath the chancel floor.
The ceiling of the chancel is panelled in a slightly richer fashion than the main church ceiling, a little cusping being introduced in the panelling.
The windows are of stained and leaded glass, contain- ing church symbols, and are set directly into the stone mullions, the outside being protected by heavy copper wire screens. On the east front of the main gable there is a small belfry containing a cast bronze bell; a granite cross marks the chancel gable. Two large mullion windows at each end, and five smaller windows on the side, light the main church. The color scheme of the glass is peculiarly pleasing, being in soft warm tones of purple and amber.
There is a small vestry provided, containing a fireplace and provision for records, with separate entrance on the
459
ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
southerly side, thus giving an opportunity for processions at services, if desired. The main vestibule is also on the southerly side; the entrance is through large folding oak doors, made extra heavy and thick, panelled and cusped, and ornamented with heavy wrought iron hinges made from special designs. Two large leather covered doors studded with bronze nails and plates, open to the main church.
In designing and building the chapel, the intention was to have it express a fitting and monumental character, and at the same time allow of its use for purposes of a mortuary chapel connected with the cemetery; also a place where services might be held during the summer months. Every- thing connected with the building and construction have been so arranged as to do away with the need of repairs or up-keeping. The construction was carefully overseen, and extra effort was taken to have everything made solid and permanent.
The foundations were made especially large and deep, and the walls of unusual thickness.
No attempt was made at display, the whole idea being to erect a quiet, and dignified building, that would take its place naturally in rather a solemn setting.
All the materials used are practically indestructible in the high, dry atmosphere of the locality. The granite for the exterior walls, by a fortunate chance, was found nearby in an old moss-grown, weather beaten stone wall, and the va- ried colors, shapes and surfaces give a pleasing and, already with the lapse of a very short time since completion, anti- quated appearance.
The building seems to have weathered many bleak New England winters, and whether this be a virtue or de- fect, it was attained without striving, by taking advantage of materials close at hand.
Dr. Hills is constantly seeking to add something to embellish both the exterior and the interior of the building. Already, by the planting of evergreen, laurel and ivy, with a handsome driveway, which circles near the doorway, the exterior presents a more finished appearance, and the
460
HISTORY OF HUDSON
interior has been embellished by the addition of various pieces of an ecclesiastical nature, all showing evidences of careful study and consideration. Recently he has built an iron fence around the whole tract, including the old cemetery.
The architect of the building, Hubert G. Ripley, of Boston, and the builder, John W. Duff, of Boston, studied the subject carefully, in collaboration with Dr. Hills, in the endeavor to produce a permanent, dignified and fitting result.
CHAPTER XXXIII
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
No library of a public nature is known to have existed in this town prior to 1797, when Samuel Marsh, Joseph Winn, Phineas Underwood, Eleazer Cummings, John Pol- lard and Joseph Greeley petitioned the Legislature for the incorporation of a library, and on December 9 of the same year an act was passed incorporating the same by the name of the Nottingham West Social Library.
While this was not a free library, strictly speaking, any worthy citizen of the town could enjoy all the advan- tages it afforded, on payment of certain small fees and dues for the purpose of keeping it replenished with books and defraying its running expenses.
The proprietors, who were among the most intelligent and influential residents of the town, displayed most excel- lent judgment in the selection of books, many of which were standard works of a high order.
This library continued in active existence for nearly fifty years, to the great benefit of all who availed them- selves of its privileges; then, by mutual consent, the asso- ciation was dissolved and the books were distributed among the. proprietors.
In 1856, George W. Haselton, Eli Hamblet, Jefferson Smith, Daniel M. Greeley, Reuben Greeley, J. O. Dane, James Emery, David B. Andrews, William F. Lewis, Bart- lett Pease, Alvan Smith, David O. Smith, Benjamin F. Sprague, Job D. Thomas and Benjamin Dean formed them- selves into an association called the "Hudson Center Li- brary."
They all subscribed and paid into the treasury small amounts of money, and adopted a constitution, June 20, 1856.
461
462
HISTORY OF HUDSON
November 11, 1856, the following officers were elected : Bartlett Pease, president; Alvan Smith and George W. Haselton, vice-presidents; Eli Hamblet, secretary, treas- urer and librarian.
It appears by the records that the association pur- chased, as a nucleus for their collection of books, the Cab- inet Library, a series of twenty volumes by Samuel G. Goodrich, better known under his pseudonym of "Peter Parley."
Subsequent records show the addition of only two books, so that it does not appear that this library ever con- tained more than twenty-two books in all. It was kept at the home of the librarian, Eli Hamblet, and books were loaned to its members until 1860, after which its active ex- istence seems to have come to an end, since no further record relating to it is found.
A legislative act was approved April 11, 1891, "to pro- mote the establishment and efficiency of free public libra- ries."
This act provided for the appointment of a board of library commissioners by the governor and council, and further provided that "said board is hereby authorized and directed to expend upon application of any town having no free public library owned and controlled by the town, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars for books for any such town entitled to the benefits of this act, such books to be used by said town for the purpose of establishing a free public library, and said commissioners shall select and pur- chase all books to be provided as aforesaid."
At that time very few free public libraries existed in this state, outside of the cities and large towns.
At the annual town meeting, March 14, 1893, it was unanimously voted to accept the benefits of this law's provision, but no library trustees were chosen. A short time afterwards the selectmen appointed Kimball Webster, Henry O. Smith and Oswald P. Baker, trustees for the new library. Before any action had been taken or substantial
463
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
progress made, it was learned that by the will of the late Adoniram Judson Greeley, five hundred volumes of books, to be selected from his private library of nearly three thou- sand, had been bequeathed to the town of Hudson for a free public library.
Dr. Greeley was a native of this town, being the oldest son of Reuben and Joanna C. (Merrill) Greeley, and was born September 10, 1818. He died at Olneyville, R. I., September 1, 1893.
At the annual meeting, March 13, 1894, the town by vote accepted Dr. Greeley's bequest. Through the gener- ous impulses of his immediate heirs his entire collection of books was presented to the town, from which eighteen hundred and seventy-eight volumes were selected for the benefit of the new library.
In honor of the memory of the donor making this be- quest, and in consideration of the generosity of the family making the donation, the library was named the Greeley Public Library of Hudson, N. H.
The state, through the library commissioners, fur- nished the new library one hundred books, eighteen hun- dred and eighty-nine were selected from Dr. Greeley's col- lection, including eleven purchased with the proceeds of old books sold, and citizens of the town donated thirty-five volumes.
Mrs. Emma B. Merrill was appointed librarian by the trustees, and the library was opened to the town's people June 20, 1894, at the residence of George A. Merrill, with two thousand and twenty-four books catalogued and on the shelves.
The institution was appreciated from the very first by the citizens of the town. During the eight months of its first year, ending February 15, 1895, the average number of books loaned each month was one hundred and eighty- one and one-half.
The library was kept at George A. Merrill's, until April, 1895, when, owing to the resignation of the librarian,
464
HISTORY OF HUDSON
Mrs. Merrill, it became necessary to take it to some other place, and it was moved into what was then called Web- ster's hall, in the third story over Baker Brothers' store. Miss Mary N. Webster was appointed librarian.
The library remained here until June 7, 1909, more than fourteen years, when it was removed into the new Hills Memorial Library building. The several librarians during these years, with their terms of service, were as follows: Mrs. Emma B. Merrill, ten months, to April, 1895; Miss Mary N. Webster, one year and ten months, to February 15, 1897; Miss Maud S. Andrews, six years and seven months, to September, 1903; Miss Ina V. Martin, two years and five months, to February, 1906; Mrs. Eliza B. Leslie, from February, 1906, to the present time, 1913.
While the advantages afforded by this free public li- brary might, perhaps, at first have been more fully utilized by the town's people, yet the patronage steadily increased and, on the whole, has been quite satisfactory.
During the first full library year, which ended Febru- ary 15, 1896, the whole number of books loaned was two thousand, five hundred and twelve, a monthly average of two hundred and nine and one-third. During the last library year, previous to its removal, which ended Febru- ary 15, 1909, the number loaned was three thousand, eight hundred and eight, a monthly average of three hundred and seventeen and one-third. In the fourteen years and eight months, ending February 15, 1909, there were loaned thirty-five thousand, eight hundred and fifty-one volumes, or a monthly average of two hundred and three and seven- tenths for the time.
Ever realizing the great necessity for a permanent, commodious, and fireproof public library building in Hud- son, and fully cognizant of the fact that suitable sites con- veniently located for such a building were fast being taken up, and anticipating that within a very few years it would become difficult to procure such a site at any reasonable price, Kimball Webster, in 1903, purchased land at the cor-
From Photo by C. E. PAINE
HILLS' MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 1909
465
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
ner of Ferry and Sanders, now Library, streets, and on September 17, 1904, conveyed the same to the town of Hudson as a site for a public library building.
DEED OF LIBRARY LOT
Know all men by these Presents.
That I, Kimball Webster, of Hudson, county of Hillsborough, and state of New Hampshire, In consideration of having long been a resident of the town of Hudson, and having in common with its other citizens en- joyed the numerous benefits derived from its wholesome government, and in view of the future needs of said town of Hudson, and of the welfare of its citizens, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have given, granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and do for myself and my heirs, by these presents, give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said town of Hudson forever, a certain tract of land situated in said Hudson, con- taining 32,460 feet, more or less, bounded and described as follows :
From this point the deed proceeds to give a descrip- tion of the tract in the usual phraseology of such instru- ments, a verbatim repetition of which would entail a useless waste of space and time. It should suffice to say that the circumscribing line commencing at a stone bound at the junction of Ferry and Sanders streets, runs easterly by said Ferry street nearly two hundred and twelve feet to a stone bound at land of Charles H. Hanscom; thence south- erly by said land nearly one hundred and thirty-eight feet to a stone bound on other land of Kimball Webster; thence westerly by said Webster land nearly two hundred and fifty-two feet to a stone bound at Sanders street; thence northerly by said street to the place of beginning.
This land formerly belonged to the Nashua Coal and Ice Company of Nashua, and was conveyed to Kimball Webster by said company, July 9, 1903.
The above described land was given by Kimball Web- ster to the town of Hudson as a site for a public library building, on the understanding that such portions of it as might not be needed for such building, or its proper sur- roundings, might be used as sites for other public buildings, or for any proper public uses needed by said town of Hud- son.
466
HISTORY OF HUDSON
As the chief object in the gift of this land is to provide a suitable site for a public library, the said lot must front on Sanders, now Library street, and no building must ever be erected between the library building and said street, and there must be given ample space so that it may never be unduly crowded by other structures.
Also this deed was given upon the condition that within a reasonable time after the acceptance of this con- veyance, the town should cause the grounds to be cleared up and put into a respectable and attractive condition. In no case was the town ever to sell, dispose of or convey these premises, or any part of them, to any person or cor- poration for any purpose whatever.
In case the town should ever sell or convey, or even attempt to sell or convey, any part or the whole of said premises, such parts or the whole of the lands so sold or conveyed, or so attempted to be sold or conveyed by the town, were immediately to revert to the donor or his es- tate.
The deed of conveyance was duly signed and sealed September 17, 1904.
The possession of a location for the future home of the Hudson free public library was now an assured fact for all coming time. Hitherto it had been a homeless waif drifting from one shelter to another. . Now it seemed only to await the erection of a proper structure for a permanent abiding place.
It had not long to wait.
In every human undertaking the right man to take the helm seems to appear at the proper time and place; so now further aid for the Hudson free public library looms above the horizon in the person of Dr. Alfred Kimball Hills of New York.
Dr. Hills was born in Hudson, October 23, 1840, the son of Alden and Nancy Currier (Kimball) Hills, and the great-great grandson of James Hills, one of the three broth- ers who are credited with having been the first settlers of this town.
467
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Dr. Hills married Martha P. Simmons, June 6, 1865. She died, childless, in New York, June 8, 1885.
June 11, 1887, he married Ida Virginia Creutzborg of Philadelphia.
Dr. Hills purchased of his father the old homestead in Hudson, of nearly two hundred acres, upon which he erected a fine and spacious summer residence which he named "Alvirne." Here he and his wife spent the sum- mer seasons for many years, residing in New York during the winters.
The two daughters born to them died in infancy. Mrs. Ida Virginia Creutzborg Hills died May 4, 1908.
She was an educated and refined lady, of a happy, cheerful disposition and a generous, philanthropic nature, and was loved and respected by all who came within the charmed circle of her acquaintance.
For more than twenty years she took much delight in occupying her beautiful summer home in Hudson, where she became endeared to a large circle of friends and neigh- bors.
It is said to have been her cherished design to some- time procure the erection of a suitable and permanent struc- ture for the housing of the Hudson public library, which would be an enduring honor to the town and a perpetual source of pride to its people.
She died suddenly at fifty-one years of age, in the very prime of her life and usefulness.
Soon after his wife's decease Dr. Hills began arrange. ments for carrying her wishes into effect, in the construc- tion of a building of stone and other indestructible mate- rial, which should be durable, ornamental and convenient, such as he knew she had designed to provide for the use and benefit of the people of her adopted town.
A plan for a library building was procured and sub- mitted to the selectmen, with the request that they call a special meeting for its consideration. This meeting was called for the first day of September, 1908, and the warrant for the same contained the following article :
1
468
HISTORY OF HUDSON
To see if the town will vote to accept the proposition of Dr. Alfred K. Hills to erect a memorial Library building on the lot given the town by Kimball Webster according to the terms embodied in the proposition.
At this meeting, on the afternoon of September 1, the following proposition was submitted by Dr. Hills :
To the Town of Hudson, State of New Hampshire.
I am moved by many reasons to make the following offer to said town :
If the town will vote to accept the proposition at a legal meeting of the voters, I will cause to be built at my own expense a public library building in said town within a reasonable time on the lot generously do- nated to the town by the Honorable Kimball Webster, on the corner of Ferry and Sanders Streets, the building to be essentially like a sketch which I have exhibited, subject to such improvements or changes as may occur to me and be more to my taste.
The library shall be known as the Hills Memorial Library, and shall be so designated and marked in the interior or exterior as may seem most fitting to me, and I also include the right in some proper way to designate the generous donation of the site by Mr. Webster.
The library in its use and management shall always be non-sectarian, and the books now constituting the free library of the town shall be placed therein, and such books as may be added thereto, to be for the perpetual use as a free public library.
The town accepts my offer on the foregoing terms and agrees to keep the library building in suitable repair so long as it exists and to main- tain it.
ALFRED K. HILLS.
"Voted to accept the proposition of Dr. Alfred K. Hills to erect a Memorial Library Building."
At the biennial meeting of the town, November 3, 1908, the following article from Dr. Hills was read by the town clerk :
"In behalf of the departed friend in whose memory it is proposed to erect this library building I accept the thanks that have been so generously offered.
"Mrs. Hills in her lifetime was a voluminous reader, and fortunately for her she was generously supplied with books. This did not, however, prevent her from sympa- thizing with those who were less fortunate.
"It had been in our minds for some years to erect a suitable building in this town to supply the needs of a pub-
0
MRS. IDA VIRGINIA CREUTZBORG HILLS
469
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
lic library, and we had been collecting books with a view to properly stocking the same.
"The recent sad event has brought the culmination of our project sooner than was expected. While it is not my intention to make promises that may be broken, or to boast of intentions which may be unfulfilled, I will simply say that it is our intention to make the tribute worthy the beautiful character which it is to commemorate.
"It was my intention to have accomplished the pur- pose single-handed, but I could not resist the appeal of a saintly, heart-broken mother, to be allowed to join me in its construction, therefore the work will be done by mother and husband jointly.
"I think that you will agree with me that the proposed building is not only artistic in appearance, but convenient in arrangement and practical in construction.
"The working model was furnished by my own library at 'Alvirne,' the product of Mrs. Hills' brain in conjunc- tion with our architect. I want to say in this connection that our friend, Mr. Ripley, of Boston, has entered into this work, as one of love as well as of profession. It seems to me that he has made a most happy hit. If arrangements can be promptly made it is hoped that the roof may be on this fall so that the inside finish may be done during the ensuing winter.
"I shall be glad to see the building dedicated in early June of next year."
At a town meeting the following resolution was unan- imously adopted:
Resolved : That we, the legal voters of Hudson in town meeting as- sembled, with a deep sense of gratitude hereby express our heartfelt thanks for the generous gift to the town of a magnificent library building to be dedicated to the memory of Ida Virginia Hills, a woman to whose memory no higher tribute can be paid than one simple word-beloved.
Our thanks are due Dr. Hills and that venerable mother, for carrying forward the wish that she so fondly cherished.
This grand gift cannot fail to be a source of pleasure and profit to the entire community, and of untold value to generations yet unborn, long after we all here present shall have joined our kindred dust.
470
HISTORY OF HUDSON
The construction of this building was commenced in October, continued through the winter and completed in May, 1909.
Two bronze tablets were placed upon the outside front, under the portico, inscribed thus:
In memory of Ida Virginia Creutzborg, wife of Alfred Kimball Hills, This Library is erected by her Mother and Husband.
May Fourth Nineteen Hundred and Eight.
This last inscription indicates the date of Mrs. Hills' death.
A small brass tablet in the inside bears the following statement :
The Nucleus, consisting of 1889 volumes, for the foundation of this Library was donated to the Town by Adoniram Judson Greeley and his heirs in 1893.
Another similar tablet in the interior is inscribed as follows :
The land on which this Building stands was donated to the Town by Kimball Webster.
Hills Memorial Library was dedicated with appropri- ate exercises on June 11, 1909, it being the twenty-second anniversary of the marriage of Dr. Alfred K. Hills and Ida Virginia Creutzborg.
The library room was filled to its utmost capacity. An invocation was pronounced by Rev. Francis O. Tyler. The presentation address was delivered by Dr. Hills. The address of acceptance was given by Kimball Webster. Ap- propriate music was interspersed throughout the exercises.
A few remarks were made by Rev. C. R. Upton of the Baptist church; also a short address by Rev. E. F. Blanch- ard, of the Congregational church.
An able and scholarly dedicatory oration was pro- nounced by Arthur Stedman Hills, Esq., a prominent Bos- ton attorney, and a nephew of Dr. Hills.
The library books were removed into the new quarters and placed upon the shelves, on Monday, June 7. Wednes-
471
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
day following was omitted as a library day, and the new building was opened for the first time for the exchange of books on Saturday, June 12, 1909, the next day after the dedication.
At the annual town meeting, March 9, 1909, the fol- lowing action was taken :
"Voted to have the names of all the men from this town-so far as may be known-who served as soldiers or sailors, or did other military duty in any Colonial or other war in which this country has been engaged from 1745 to 1898, and who, at the time of enlistment or service, were residents of this town, suitably engraved on tablets and conspicuously placed in the new Hills Memorial Library building, and that the sum of four hundred and fifty dol- lars be appropriated to effect the same."
The following committee was chosen: Kimball Web- ster, Philip J. Connell and Nathaniel Wentworth.
Four metal tablets-three of them large and one small -were procured, beautifully engraved with three hundred and twenty-seven names of patriots from this town, and placed upon the walls of the trustees' room, over the vesti- bule, in July, 1909, by C. H. Buck & Co., of Boston, at an expense of four hundred and forty dollars.
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.