USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > Lancaster > History of Lancaster, New Hampshire > Part 44
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George R. Eaton, president; Everett Fletcher, vice-president ; Frank D. Hutchins, cashier. Board of directors: Ossian Ray, Geo. R. Eaton, William Clough, C. B. Jordan, A. J. Marshall, Everett Fletcher, Seneca S. Merrill, R. H. Porter, and H. O. Coolidge.
This bank has done a large and successful business, and enjoys the full confidence of the community. Its surplus is $25,000.
The first president and cashier are still in office. The following, among Lancaster's best business men, are its directors :
George R. Eaton, Irving W. Drew, F. D. Hutchins, Burleigh Roberts, George M. Stevens, John L. Moore, K. B. Fletcher.
The Siwooganock Guaranty Savings Bank .- This bank was organized in 1887, with the following officers: W. S. Ladd, presi- dent; F. D. Hutchins, treasurer; G. R. Eaton, W. S. Ladd, C. B. Jordan, W. Clough, E. Fletcher, C. A. Bailey, and F. D. Hutchins,
MT. PROSPECT.
MT. PLEASANT.
CONNECTICUT RIVER AND TOLL BRIDGE.
LOG JAM AT TOLL BRIDGE, 1895.
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BANKS AND CORPORATIONS.
trustees. Its incorporators were: W. S. Ladd, C. B. Jordan, I. W. Drew, G. Van Dyke, W. Clough, F. P. Brown, C. T. McNally, J. H. Dudley, O. Ray, W. R. Danforth, G. M. Stevens, C. A. Cleaveland, B. C. Garland, W. F. Dodge, B. A. Taylor, D. H. Beattie, G. R. Eaton, F. D. Hutchins, E. Fletcher, B. Roberts, C. A. Bailey, A. M. Beattie, J. I. Parsons, A. R. Evans, F. N. Day, J. C. Pattee, E. W. Scribner, R. McCarten, S. Cole, L. T. Hazen, S. E. Paine.
This bank has done a fine business, and has won the confidence of the community as one of its safe and useful institutions. Its capital, or guarantee fund, is $60,000. Its assets April 1, 1896, $441,675.
Its present officers are : President, I. W. Drew; treasurer, F. D. Hutchins. Trustees; I. W. Drew, Geo. R. Eaton, Everett Fletcher, F. D. Hutchins, Burleigh Roberts, Geo. M. Stevens.
The Lancaster Trust Company .- This is a state bank, incorpo- rated in 1891, doing business in Kent's building in the same rooms also occupied by the Lancaster Savings bank. Its charter is a very comprehensive one, enabling its managers to do the general busi- ness of a trust company, discount bank, real estate and financial agency. So far, only a banking department has been organized. Its cash capital is $100,000.
Its first board of officers elected June 21, 1891, was as follows : President, Henry O. Kent; vice-presidents, Chester B. Jordan, Geo. Van Dyke; treasurer, Henry Percy Kent; secretary, Willie E. Bul- lard. Directors : Henry O. Kent, Frank Jones, George Van Dyke, Ezra Mitchell, C. C. O'Brion, Chester B. Jordan, Erastus V. Cob- leigh, Edward R. Kent, Willie E. Bullard.
This bank has done a steadily increasing and prosperous business, and is properly regarded as one of the strong financial institutions of the state. Its statement of August 1, 1896, shows a capital of $100,000. Surplus, $8,473.29; deposits, $50,620.
Its present officers are : President, Henry O. Kent; vice-presi- dents, Chester B. Jordan, Ezra Mitchell; clerk of the corporation, Charles A. Cleaveland; treasurer, Henry Percy Kent. Directors : Henry O. Kent, Frank Jones, Chester B. Jordan, Ezra Mitchell, Edward R. Kent, Erastus V. Cobleigh, Charles C. Cleaveland, Henry Percy Kent, H. H. Danforth.
THE LANCASTER BRIDGE COMPANY.
In the settlement of the Connecticut river valley, the rich meadow lands on both sides offered extra inducements to develop settlements east and west of the river at the same time. This was so in the " Upper Coös " settlement. Lancaster and Northumberland on the New Hampshire side, and Lunenburg and Guildhall on the Ver- mont side, kept abreast of each other in their development. As
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
pioneer life changed with the growth of the several villages in these towns, communication between them became increasingly impor- tant, demanding better means of crossing the river than the primi- tive custom of fording it. Northumberland and Guildhall villages were more populous than Lancaster and Lunenburg, for a time, from which consideration those two villages were connected by a ferry at the hands of Gen. Edwards Bucknam, which he later sold to Jonathan Grant, Sept. 9, 1803. Bucknam had petitioned the gen- eral court, Oct. 8, 1784, for the privilege of using the river for build- ing mills and a ferry, which privilege was granted him, and by which he controlled the river for one mile below and above the falls.
About the time Bucknam sold his ferry, Lancaster was becoming a village of more importance than either Guildhall or Northumber- land, as a trading center. An increased demand for better facilities for crossing the river at Lancaster led a few public-spirited men to take steps to build a toll bridge. The towns along the river were not able to meet the expense of a free bridge, and such a bridge was the only thing that could be had at the time. The legislature was applied to, and granted a charter by special act, incorporat- ing the Lancaster Bridge Company. The charter authorized the company " to build a bridge, and maintain it, over the Connecticut river at a place called ' Waits Bow.'"
In the charter, Richard C. Everett and Levi Willard were desig- nated to call the first meeting of the stockholders. The lands of the company were not to exceed five acres adjoining the bridge. The rate of tolls was also fixed by the charter, as follows :
"I. For each foot passenger, I cent.
2. For each horse and rider, 4 cents.
3. For each Chaise, Chair, Sulky or other riding carriage, drawn by one horse, IO cents.
4. For each Riding Sleigh drawn by one horse, 5 cents.
5. For each Coach, Chariot, Phaeton or other four-wheeled carriage for pas- sengers, drawn by more than one horse, 20 cents.
6. For each Curicle, 12 cents.
7. For each Cart or other carriage of burthen, drawn by two beasts, 10 cents, and 2 cents for each additional yoke of oxen or pair of horses.
8. For each horse, exclusive of those rid on, 3 cents.
9. For each Neat Creature, I cent.
IO. For each Sheep or Swine, 3 cent, and to each team one person and no more shall be allowed, as a driver, to pass free of toll."
These rates were to hold good if at the end of three years the profits did not exceed twelve per cent. If they exceeded that in- come, then the justices of the superior court were authorized to reduce them; and thereafter at the end of every six years the same ruling was to hold. The court also had the authority to raise them if they fell below six per cent.
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BANKS AND CORPORATIONS.
The incorporators were liable for the bridge in the same terms that a town is for its roads and bridges, and was indictable on the same grounds of lack of repair.
The stock was issued in forty shares of fifty dollars each, and the following persons held it at the organization of the company : Isaac Bundy, 2 shares; Thomas Carlisle, 2 shares; Richard C. Ev- erett, 3 shares; William Lovejoy, I share; Levi Willard, 2 shares ; Stephen Wilson, 2 shares; Jonathan Cram, I share; David Perkins, 2 shares; James Baker, I share; Titus O. Brown, I share; Hum- phrey Cram, I share; David Bunday, I share; William Hines, I share; Artemas Wilder, 12 shares; Elisha Bunday, I share; David Dana, I share; Urial Rosebrook, I share; Lemuel Holmes, I share ; Asa Holmes, I share; Samuel Howe, I share; Timothy Faulkner, I share; Bowman Chaddock, I share.
The first corporation meeting was called for August 20, at which a preliminary organization was effected, with Richard C. Everett, chairman, and Thomas Carlisle, as clerk. A permanent organiza- tion was effected September 24, by the election of Daniel Dana, president, Thomas Carlisle, clerk, and Richard C. Everett, treas- urer.
This bridge served a valuable purpose, and was a source of con- siderable profit, though profits never ran so high as to subject its rates to the scaling-down provided for in its charter. Its stock was always regarded good, and found buyers whenever its owners wished to dispose of it. During the many years of its existence there were sundry changes in its list of stockholders, and also its officers. The late R. P. Kent, who came to Lancaster in 1825, became an owner of stock, and an officeholder in the corporation, and for forty years served as clerk and treasurer. At the time of his death he was one of the largest holders of its stock.
The first bridge was built in 1804, and was, for the times, a sub- stantial structure; but in 1828 it was rebuilt, and in 1840 a new one, the present one, was built. All were heavy wooden struc- tures, but served a valuable purpose in bringing to the village of Lancaster the trade of the Vermont side of the river for a consider- able distance.
The present bridge becoming a source of considerable expense with a rate of income too small to afford profits, and to enable own- ers to replace it in case of loss, it was decided to sell it to the three towns adjoining it,-Lancaster, Lunenburg, and Guildhall. Accord- ingly steps were taken to dispose of it, and as public sentiment was strong against toll bridges, it was arranged between the towns referred to, to take action upon the matter ; Lancaster and Guildhall, at their respective town-meetings, and Lunenburg by private sub- scription, in the spring of 1894. This action was favorable to the
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
purchase of the bridge by the three towns jointly. Lancaster ap- propriated $2,000, Guildhall $300, and Lunenburg $200, which was accepted by the bridge company, and the property was conveyed to the towns in the spring of 1894. The toll house was sold for $400, and a dividend was made of the amount between the thirty-eight shares standing out at that time.
For ninety years the old bridge served the public, and in keeping with the tendency of the times to make all public service free, it has yielded to the inevitable. Its last officers were: Henry O. Kent, president; Henry Percy Kent, secretary and treasurer; directors, Henry O. Kent, Isaac W. Hopkinson, and Henry Percy Kent.
THE COOS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
This company was incorporated by special act of the legislature July 13, 1855. The incorporators were: Benjamin F. Whidden, Charles B. Allen, Enoch L. Colby, Daniel C. Pinkham, Reuben L. Adams, David A. Burnside, Aurin M. Chase, Daniel A. Bowe, Nel- son Kent, and William R. Stockwell.
The first three of these were named to call the first meeting, which was not done until May 6, 1862, when notice was given the incorpo- rators to meet at the law office of Benjamin F. Whidden on May 17, 1862, for the organization of the company. Only a temporary or- ganization was effected, with B. F. Whidden, chairman, and D. C. Pinkham, secretary.
The act of incorporation, section 16, chapter 1794, private acts, was adopted. At this first meeting, William Heywood, Henry O. Kent, John Whittemore, and S. W. Cooper were elected associates in the corporation. A board of directors, consisting of B. F. Whid- den, E. L. Colby, C. B. Allen, William Heywood, S. W. Cooper, and Henry O. Kent, was elected.
On June 3, 1862, permanent officers were chosen, consisting of B. F. Whidden, president; S. W. Cooper, secretary. At this meet- ing, John Whittemore of Colebrook and William A. White of Lan- caster were appointed a committee to solicit business for the new company, which gained the confidence of the people, and a fair amount of business was transacted from the start. At an ad- journed meeting, on Aug. 13, 1862, H. O. Kent was elected perma- nent secretary, and held that position throughout its existence.
The company, as its name indicates, was wholly mutual, all of its patrons becoming members in the corporation upon the insur- ance of their property. The business was conducted economically, and in every respect it was a first-class protection against loss by fire, and as cheap as mutual insurance could be afforded at the time.
Within a year of its organization, C. B. Allen, L. F. Moore, and
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BANKS AND CORPORATIONS.
H. A. Fletcher were elected directors, and served in that relation throughout its existence.
Intending to be absent from the state during the year of 1862, Mr. H. O. Kent was authorized by the directors to appoint an assist- ant secretary, which he did by selecting D. C. Pinkham. Upon his return to Lancaster, December 1, 1862, he resumed his duties as secretary July 1, 1863.
On September 1, 1863, a new board of directors was elected, this being its annual meeting. That board consisted of B. F. Whid- . den, E. L. Colby, William Heywood, Jacob Benton, L. F. Moore, C. B. Allen, John Whittemore, Joseph Colby, and Merrill C. Forest.
A schedule of salaries was established as follows: President, $10 per year; secretary, fifty cents on each policy, and fifty cents for each directors' meeting; treasurer, $3 per day and expenses; all officers $2 per day for settling losses; agents fifty cents on each policy from the company, and the same amount from the insured, and fees for services necessitating extra service; directors, fifty cents for each meeting, five cents for each application approved, and ten cents a mile one way for travel in attending directors' meetings, not to exceed four meetings a year.
At a meeting of the directors, the same day, the following officers were elected: E. L. Colby, president; H. O. Kent, secretary ; Ira S. M. Gove, treasurer. The offices of the secretary and treasurer were located in the Kent block, Main street, Lancaster. The busi- ness by this time had grown to promising proportions. Losses were promptly met, and the finances of the corporation were in good condition.
Mr. Kent intending to be absent again for some time, was given authority by the directors to appoint an assistant secretary. He appointed George H. Emerson, but changed it to William Hey- wood, until July 11, 1864, when, on his return, he resumed his duties in that office until the close of its career. In 1864, the late H. A. Fletcher was elected treasurer, and served in that capacity for a term of eight years, when he was succeeded by Charles E. Allen, who served in that relation to the company until it went out of business. E. L. Colby was president from his first election in 1863, until December 30, 1875, when he was succeeded by William Heywood, who continued in that office until the close of the com- pany's career.
John Whittemore of Colebrook, N. H., F. I. Bean of Berlin, N. H., W. A. White of Lancaster, William Goodman of Norway, Me., and E. L. Colby of Lancaster, served the company most of the time as its agents in the solicitation of business.
The time came when the mutual companies could not afford as cheap insurance as the old line companies; and this one, as legions
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
of others throughout the country, had to yield to the inevitable and go out of business. Accordingly at its meeting of May 15, 1877, it was " voted to discontinue issuing policies after twelve o'clock, May 31, 1877, and to close up all business of the company." Ar- rangements were made with the Springfield Fire and Marine Insur- ance company for the insurance of all its policy-holders who might wish to make the change at a lower rate than they had been paying in the Coös Mutual, and for the immediate protection of its policy- holders during the time of closing up business. Due notice was sent by circular letter to all the policy-holders.
The claims of the company were settled, as also all its liabilities, and on December 9, 1879, the last meeting was held, at which final disposition of its affairs was made, and the Coös Mutual, once a useful institution, joined that innumerable company of things that have become outgrown by the marvelous changes that have come over our modern civilization, concentrating enterprises into larger and new forms of cooperation.
Early in the century there was a local mutual fire insurance company in operation in Lancaster-we think the prototype of its successor here referred to. Its career was honorable, but it was not long in business. No trace can be found of its records or official lists at this time. -
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND RIDING PARK.
THE COOS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-THE COOS AND ESSEX COUNTIES AGRI- CULTURAL SOCIETY-THE RIDING PARK OF COOS COUNTY.
An agricultural society, called The Coos Agricultural Society, was organized in the county about 1820, and for four years held "county fairs," with considerable success at Lancaster. This society fell into decay, and for nearly a half century nothing like it existed here. Finally, Lancaster came into line in a movement that was universal in this country about 1869, and organized another agricultural society, and again held county fairs of great interest for a number of years. What was called the " Coos and Essex Counties Agricultural Society " was organized in 1870, and comprised the territory of the two counties of those names, lying on opposite sides of the Connecticut river. The first officers of this society were : William D. Weeks, president; John W. Hartshorn of Lunenburg, Vt., and Hazen Bedel of Colebrook, N. H., vice-presidents; Henry O. Kent, treasurer; Charles E. Benton, Guildhall, Vt., and George H. Emerson of Lancaster, secretaries. There was also a large execu- tive committee selected from the various outlying towns. This society held fairs with a considerable degree of success for some years, and then, with declining interest and increasing debts, suspended opera- tions.
40I
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND RIDING PARK.
In 1870 the Riding Park Association of Coos county was organized. This was composed of some of the best business men of the town, who made a substantial success of their undertaking. An organization was effected May 26 of that year ; and twenty acres of desirable lands were secured on the main road to Northumber- land, a part of the Emmons Stockwell farm, and a good track was built and all other necessary improvements were made, giving the association a fine track and grounds. This was a voluntary cor- poration under the statutes of the state. For a number of years this, like its predecessors, flourished, and like them it had its evil day. Interest in speeding horses died out, and with diminishing proceeds from its exhibitions for several years, it became a los- ing undertaking, and after sinking some eight or ten thousand dollars in it the association sold it to George P. Rowell of New York, a former resident of the town. He undertook to revive interest in the speeding of horses and county fairs, and succeeded in bringing together another society or rather the reorganization of the old Coos and Essex Counties Agricultural societies.
On January 22, 1884, this society was reorganized under chapter 15 I of the General Laws of New Hampshire. The following persons constituted the association: Edward Spaulding, A. J. Congdon, Frank Smith, William Clough, Henry O. Kent, Edward Emerson, I. W. Quimby, Proctor Jacobs, George H. Emerson, William D. Weeks, Isaac W. Hopkinson, W. C. Spaulding, Henry S. Webb, George P. Rowell, Edward R. Kent, John Lindsey, Joseph Winch, James W. Weeks, John Costello, H. I. Guernsey, Henry S. Hilliard.
Since then forty-seven other persons have become members of the society. Its first annual meeting fell on February 2, 1884, when the following officers were elected :
George P. Rowell, president; I. W. Drew, E. R. Kent of Lancas- ter, and J. M. Dodge of Lunenburg, Vt., vice-presidents; I. W. Quimby, secretary ; H. S. Hilliard and H. S. Webb, assistant secre- taries; George H. Emerson, treasurer; J. Winch, G. E. Carbee, J. Evans, J. H. Woodward, J. W. Weeks, Jr., Henry Heywood, and W. D. Weeks, directors.
This organization revived the old-time county fairs, and added to the other attractions horse trotting, bicycle racing, wrestling, jumping, and a variety of other kinds of racing, which proved an attraction for several years. The agricultural exhibits for a time were good, and then for various reasons declined, and finally were given up by their promoters among the farming population. The old Riding Park Association and some new members formed what is now known as the Lancaster Driving club, and the grounds are now known as the driving park, owned mostly by the Mount Washington Stock Farm (Geo. R. Eaton, Geo. M. Stevens, George 26
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Van Dyke). This club holds annually a fair and frequent trotting races, at which good premiums and purses are offered, and which are well attended though it is not a money-making enterprise for its managers. In fact they lose money on it, but being public-spirited men they keep the institution alive for the good of the community ; and in this respect it does much good for the farmers and stock- raisers of the immediate section of country. Among its promoters are Hon. Irving W. Drew, George Van Dyke, George R. Eaton, and George M. Stevens. Its present officers are: George R. Eaton, president; George M. Stevens, general manager; George E. Stevens, secretary ; Fielding Smith, assistant secretary; George E. Stevens, treasurer.
CHAPTER IX.
EDUCATION.
FOUNDING OF SCHOOLS-EARLY TEACHERS-SCHOOLHOUSES-SCHOOL DIS- TRICTS-THE TOWN SYSTEM.
BY JAMES S. BRACKETT.
It is a difficult task to get at the facts in relation to the schools of the town. Certain facts, however, are a matter of record, and are therefore reliable, while much more is traditional and must pass for what tradition is worth. There is nothing definitely known of the action of the town in regard to education until the year 1790, when at a town-meeting on December 13 of that year it was " voted 30 bushels of wheat, including what the law directs to be laid out in schooling the present winter." There had been schools in different parts of the town at irregular intervals, taught by men and women who happened to be here and were thought sufficiently proficient in reading, writing, and arithmetic, to instruct the youth of the set- tlement.
It is generally conceded that Mrs. Ruth Stockwell (née Page) was the first person to give instruction in the town, but she kept no regular school. The early settlers were precluded by the very nature of their surroundings from having schools or acquiring much education. Their immediate task was one of securing homes. The clearing of their lands and building their first rude houses engrossed their whole attention. There was little time left for books if they had possessed them, which they did not to much extent. Theirs was the struggle for existence. Even the first settlers were men of some education. They could all read and write, and were men of good judgment and sound common sense. They had their Bibles and a few other books, mostly religious literature, in their homes.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT OF LANCASTER ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL. (Site of Lancaster Academy, 1837-1895.)
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EDUCATION.
Edwards Bucknam was something of a scholar. He wrote a good hand and was a practical surveyor (he surveyed the town for the proprietors), and could impart his knowledge to others.
The first schoolmaster in Lancaster of whom we have definite knowledge was Joseph Bergin, an Englishman, who came here from Boston, Mass. He arrived at Edwards Bucknam's, June 12, 1787, and after " washing his clothes at Lacous's, June 13, and returned to my house the 14th," as Bucknam wrote in his diary, must have gone to teaching at once; for on June 17, John Weeks, writing to his wife in Greenland, N. H., says: " John (his son, J. W.) values much on his reading and spelling at school, as he gets the better of all his age, and many much older. The schoolmaster-Mr. Ber- gin an Englishman-boarded with us last week: we take turns to board him weekly." This, of course, was the same one of whom Bucknam spoke as beginning to teach school June 20, at five dol- lars a month, for a term of six months. Bucknam also mentions the fact that his son Edward went to school to a Mr. Bradley, and boarded at D. Stanley's. This school was in the Stockwell and Page neighborhood. The first schoolhouse was built in that sec- tion on the Stockwell farm, just on the bluff to the left as one ap- proaches the old Stockwell house. Here is no doubt where Master Bradley taught at that time.
It is somewhat singular that records, or memoranda of some kind, were not kept and transmitted to us showing the early history of education in this intelligent community. I have heard my father say (he was twelve years old when he came to town with his father in 1789) that all he attended school in Lancaster did not exceed six months; and Major John W. Weeks said that he never went to school more than ten or twelve months in Lancaster.
The teachers were not well paid at first. While Master Bergin was teaching at the rate of sixty dollars a year, Edwards Bucknam was paying a common laborer on his farm ninety dollars a year.
In the year 1789, the general court of Massachusetts gave towns the right to divide their territory into districts, and establish district schools. Lancaster, perhaps with that precedent in mind, appointed a committee of nine persons at the annual town-meeting, March II, 1794, to divide the town into school districts. We have no record of their action, but it is very probable that three districts were then formed, as there had practically been as many before that time. The town was settled in a way that naturally divided it into three sections of nearly equal population, and about equally distant from the centre of the town. The first school had no doubt come into existence in the Stockwell neighborhood, the second in the Bucknam neighbor- hood at the south end of the town, and the next one in what is now the village. As nearly as can now be ascertained, the district com-
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