History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 144
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 144

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).

The old River School-house stood at the corner of the River road, with just room enough between it and the mill-pond for the road to Barnstead. By the hill-road lived Colonel Lyford, and at the corner be- yond, where the road branched, was the house of Moses Kenney. A few rods above was the Jenkins house, which in 1800 was used as store, tavern and dwelling-house.

One of the earliest school-teachers was Joseph Odiorne. For twenty-eight years he was annually chosen town clerk. At the bottom of the page, in the year 1810, is the following memorandum: " Writ- ten with a metalic pen." His first record as clerk was in 1802.

Hon. Moses Norris, Jr., was a prominent citizen of Pittsfield. His father, Moses Norris, was an early settler here and served in the Revolutionary War. Moses, Jr., gradnated at Dartmonth in 1828, the first graduate from Pittsfield. He pursned his studies with Isaac O. Barnes, of Barnstead, and commenced practice in that town. In 1834 he removed to Pitts- field and soon acquired a large practice, rising to an eminent position at the bar, ranking with the Bells, Atherton, Woodbury, Pierce, Perley, etc. He repre- sented the town in the Legislature in 1837, '38, '39 and '40, and the latter year was Speaker of the House. He was member of the State Council several years ; was elected member of Congress in 1843 and re- elected in 1845. He was chosen United States Senator in 1848, and died while a member of that body in January, 1855.

Eighty years ago the "Upper City " was a place of more business than the present village, or "Lower

City" as it was then called. Near the " Upper City' was a store kept by William Simpson, and later one by Job Demerit.

The village of Pittsfield is beautifully located on both sides of the river, and the hills, covered with innumerable farms, rise around it like a mighty amphitheatre, while in the background are seen lofty mountain peaks, the principal ones being the famous Kearsarge, the Belknap and Gunstock, and, taken all in all, no town in New Hampshire surpasses it in beauty, breadth and variety of its prospects.

CHAPTER II.

PITTSFIELD-(Continued).

The Cottou-Factory-The Suncook Valley Railroad-Its Inception- Road Completed-Celebration at Opening-Effect of the Railroad- Shoe Manufacturing-Morgan, Dorr & Libby.

Cotton-Factory .- The cotton-factory was erected in 1827, and after the first impetus had been ex- pended the place went on in a steady, old-fashioned sort of way for nearly forty years. During all this time four and six-horse teams went plodding away towards Concord in the morning and came wearily home at night, while the stage-coach rattled busily about at an early hour gathering up its load of passengers and freight. Pittsfield stood entirely by itself in those days. Then, as now, there was no place of equal importance within a radius of fifteen miles. It was without a rival, and has remained so ever since. Stages went out to Concord, Gilmanton, Alton, Dover and Northwood, and heavy team horses were a familiar feature of the village. It was during this period that Pittsfield Academy was founded, and grew up to be the foremost institution of learning in that section of the State, sending out pupils who have since made their mark in business, in medicine, in law, in the pulpit and in the school-room. It was in this time, too, that the varions church edifices were erected, the Pittsfield Library was established and that the lyceum flourished in the hearty fashion which men still delight to recall. Many substantial buildings were erected and some goodly estates were built up by industry and jndicions trade. But the time came when Pittsfield people realized that they were standing still, if not positively retrograding, and the effort to shake off the lethargy into which the village was falling led to the building of the Suncook Valley Railroad.

Suncook Valley Railroad .- The building of this road opened a new era in the history ofthis town and the charming valley through which it passes. The first movement for connecting Pittsfield by rail with the outer world was begun about the year 1850. It was conceived by " Uncle John Berry," who, with others, procured a charter and a survey was made. The strng- gle for the road was a long and ardnons one. Ground

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PITTSFIELD.

was first broken April 26, 1869, at Pittsfield and Sun- cook. The event was duly celebrated, and the build- ing of the road was rapidly pushed forward, and the last rail was laid November 27, 1869. The first train went over the road with passengers December 6th, leaving Pittsfield at 8.45 A.M. The road was formally opened with a great demonstration at Pittsfield, December 10th. F. B. Berry was marshal of the day. The wel- coming address was made by Hon. R. P. J. Tenney, An eloquent address was made by Hon. Lewis W. Clark. Addresses were also made by S. N. Bell, Hon. Isaac W. Smith, " Uncle" John Berry, Benjamin Emersou, Hon. Daniel Clark, Colonel John B. Clarke, Joseph Kidder, Governor Nathaniel Head, P. K. Chandler, John C. French and others.

Pittsfield contributed liberally to the building of the railroad, the town voting the full sum allowed by law and the citizens subscribing heavily for the stock. It was in operation before the close of 1869, and in the spring of 1870 a new order of things began. Situated as Pittsfield is, remote from the cities and larger vil- lages of the State, with thrifty farming towns on every side, it only needed railroad facilities to become the centre of a large and steadily-increasing trade. The effect of the railroad in this respect was realized at once, but a few leading citizens were not content with this alone, and looked about for some business that might be induced to locate among them and bring capital and industry to the place. Lynn parties of- fered to come and engage in the manufacture of shoes if sufficient encouragement could be secured. As the result, a building two hundred and ten feet long, thirty-five feet wide and three stories high, with a basement, was erected in 1870, furnished with abund- ant steam-power, and three firms, each taking a third of the factory and power, began the manufacture of shoes on quite an extensivescale. The shop had capacity for three hundred and fifty or four hundred hands, and for several years a large business was carried on. This was Pittsfield's second period of growth, and the village changed as in a transformation scene. New streets were laid out, building was pushed rapidly forward, and the stores increased in number as well as in the amount of business done. Some fine business blocks were erected, the population increased, and a brilliant future was confidently predicted for the vil- lage. But five or six years later there began to be a feeling of uncertainty in the very air. The firms en- gaged in making shoes at the big shop had trouble with their help, grew dissatisfied, and one by one took their departure, leaving the men who had done the most for the general growth, and who had in- vested heavily in real estate, in the most critical posi- tion possible. It was a time of great depression and general discouragement. Tenements stood empty, some traders moved away and others were undecided what to do. It was a terrible experience for the bus- iness men of Pittsfield and is often spoken of by them as the most trying period of their lives. It was

more imperatively necessary that something should be done than it was in 1869.

Shoe Manufacturing .- In 1879, C. B. Lancaster, an extensive and successful shoe manufacturer and dealer, offered to establish a part of his business in Pittsfield and make no fewer than five thousand cases annually, if the citizens would build him such a shop as he desired and exempt him from taxation for a term of years. An arrangement was quickly ar- rived at and the work of building was begun at once under the personal supervision of Mr. Ira N. Blake, who has from the first had charge of the firm's busi- ness in Pittsfield. It was Mr. Blake's idea to locate the factory on the river in order that the water-power might be utilized a great part of the year, and to use steam only in case the water-power should fail. Ac- cordingly, the building, as well as another erected by the company itself two years later, was equipped for both steam and water-power and the establishment enjoys immunity from stops through lack of motive- power. Work was begun in the shop before the car- penters had fairly left the building, and has contin- ued with but slight interruptions ever since. Mr. Blake himself added greatly to the confidence of bus- iness men by purchasing the farm formerly owned by the late Jeremiah Clark, which stretches down the hillside from Main Street to the river, opening up a new street, putting up no fewer than seven new cot- tage houses for his workmen and erecting an elegant residence for himself at the corner of Main and Blake Streets. Nothing better calculated to revive the courage of the citizens could have occurred. It was evident that the new firm had come to stay, and its representative was a man who would take some interest in the village beyond the number of dollars he might be able to remit to the headquarters of the firm in Boston. Building was begun anew, business revived and Pittsfield entered upon a period of de- velopment and general prosperity.

In the six years that the firm of C. B. Lancaster & Co. has been established here it has distributed in Pittsfield between one hundred and twenty-five thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars yearly and has done an annual business averaging more than half a million. It has given almost steady employment to from three hundred to five hundred hands, has cut up thirty thousand sides of leather yearly, and in its largest year did a business amounting to seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars.

MORGAN, DORR & LIBBY .- When the original shoe firm left Pittsfield the old shop remained empty ou the hands of the Pittsfield Shoe Factory Association, which offered the free use of the building, with ample steam-power, machinery, etc., to any concern that would come and do business in it. Accordingly, Morgan & Dorr, a firm doing business in Lynn, formed a new partnership with E. A. Libby, a gentleman of twenty years' practical experience in the business,

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and who had been for a long time previous in their employ as foreman and superintendent, and began operations here under the firm-name of Morgan, Dorr & Libby. The business was practically a new venture, it being the purpose of the firm to manufacture a su- perior quality of ladies' goods and build up a trade on the merits of the work accomplished. The new firm began work here in September, 1881, and in three years' time had established a business of about two hundred thousand dollars annually, employing in flush times two hundred and fifty hands. In Septem- ber, 1884, the partnership expired by limitation, but the business is continued under the supervision of Mr. Libby, who was retained as superintendent.

The Pittsfield Manufacturing Company manu- facture cotton goods. It is a large establishment. Geo. E. Kent, agent.

CHAPTER III.

PITTSFIELD-(Continued).

The Pittsfield Bank-The Pittsfield Savings-Bank-The Farmers' Sav- inga-Bank-The Aqueduct Company-The Analecta-Corinthian Lodge, F. and A. M.

The Pittsfield Bank was organized as a State bank March 18, 1851. The first board of directors were Benjamin Emerson, Jacob Perkins, John L. Thorndike, Jeremiah Clough, William Jenkins, Jr., John S. Osborne and S. M. D. Perkins.

The officers have been as follows : Presidents, John L. Thorndike, James Drake and Charles H. Carpen- ter ; Cashiers, Charles H. Carpenter, John L. French, Josiah Carpenter and John A. Goss.

Present board of directors,-Charles H. Carpenter, Hiram A. Tuttle, Thomas H. Thorndike, John A. Goss and Nathaniel M. Batchelder.

It was organized as a national bank February 13, 1885. Capital, fifty thousand dollars.

The Pittsfield Savings-Bank was incorporated in 1855, with the following incorporators : James A. Treat, John Berry, Benjamin Emerson, Reuben L. French, James Drake, Charles H. Carpenter, Syl- vester H. French, G. L. Remick, Lowell Brown, Jeremiah Clough, William G. French, Walter B. Drake and R. P. J. Tenney.

The first officers were John Berry, president ; Lowell Brown, treasurer and secretary.

The first board of trustees were James A. Treat, William G. French, G. L. Remick, Charles H. Car- penter, Isaiah Berry, Sylvester H. French, Louis W. Clark, Reuben L. French, Peter J. Hook and Lowell Brown.

The present officers are R. L. French, president, and G. F. Berry, treasurer.

Present trustees,-R. L. French, S. H. French, J. W. Johnston, Lowell Brown, B. F. Kaime, A. B. Taylor, John J. Jenness, T. H. Thorndike, Jeremiah

Clough, H. A. Tuttle, William G. French, P. J. Hook, B. G. Parsons, E. L. Carr and G. F. Berry.

The present amount of deposits is $259,206; num- ber of depositors, twelve hundred and seventeen.

The bank was first located in John Berry's store, and was afterwards removed to the second floor of Tuttle's Block, which was burned with the Congrega- tional Church, February 14, 1876. The safe was taken from the burning building uninjured, and Union Block was soon erected on the vacant spot, the bank taking one-third interest in it and occupying spacious and convenient quarters on the first floor, where it still remains. The present treasurer, Mr. George F. Berry, assumed the duties of his position in July, 1880, upon the resignation of his brother, William H., and has had charge of the business since that time.

Of the sixty-seven savings-bank treasurers in New Hampshire, three were natives of Pittsfield, viz .: J. W. White, of Nashua; George F. Berry, of Pittsfield ; and William Yeaton, of Farmington. Two others -. Josiah Carpenter, of Manchester, and George A. Fernald, of Concord-have been residents of the town.

The Farmers' Savings-Bank was organized Octo- ber 13, 1883, and commenced business December 1, 1883. The officers have been as follows: Ira N. Blake, president ; John A. Goss, treasurer ; Ira N. Blake, Peabody H. Adams, Nathaniel S. Drake, James Griffin, Edwin A. Libby,. George N. Foss, Charles H. Carpenter, Thomas H. Thorndike, True H. Mansfield, John J. French, Charles M. Bailey, John A. Goss, Aaron Whittemore, Jr., trustees. Amount of deposits May, 1885, nineteen thousand dollars.

The Aqueduct Company was organized June 1, 1884, with the following officers : R. L. French, presi- dent ; S. J. Winslow, superintendent; R. L. French, Charles H. Carpenter, Hiram A. Tuttle, S. J. Winslow, Aaron Whittemore, Jr., 1 board of directors ; John A. Goss, treasurer; N. S. Drake, clerk. The officers have not been changed.

The Analecta, published by O. H. A. Chamberlin in his elegantly appointed office in Opera Block, has a unique and interesting history. Mr. Chamber- lin began printing at his home in Dunbarton as an amateur in April, 1877, when seventeen years of age, and in December of the same year the first issue of the Snow Flake-now the Analecta-appeared. It consisted of twelve pages, six by nine inches, and was to be published monthly, and was offered to the public at thirty cents a year. After three issues it was eularged to a four-column quarto with patent inside, the outside being printed on a small job press, one page at a time. After October, 1879, the printing was all done at home, and for the first two years Mr. Chamberlain did all the work alone. Its circulation reached over eight hundred at this time. January 1, 1880, it was issued as a four-

1 Deceased

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PITTSFIELD.

column folio, semi-monthly, and in the May follow- ing the Pittsfield department was added, over four hundred subscribers being received from that and other adjoining towns in the first eight months after. January, 1881, the subscription price was increased to fifty cents, and in the winter of 1882-83 a Cot- trell cylinder press and other machinery, with a large amount of type, etc., was purchased, and January 1, 1883, the paper was published as a seven- column folio weekly at seventy-five cents a year. The success of the venture was complete and the circulation rapidly increased. In June following a Hopkinton department was added, and an increase of nearly two hundred was secured by that means. January 1, 1884, the paper was enlarged to an eight- column folio, the subscription price placed at one dollar a year, as at present, and the name was changed to the Analecta. In April, 1884, the subject · of removal to Pittsfield began to be discussed, and al- though no special inducement was offered by the citizens, it was finally decided to take the step. September 18, 1884, the material was on the road from Dunbarton to Pittsfield, and the paper was issued from the new home with only one day's delay. Such, in brief, is the history of the growth of a news- paper from the smallest beginning to a nicely- printed, well-conducted sheet, creditable to the vil- lage and a source of honest pride to its projector. It has reached a circulation of two thousand copies, has a good advertising patronage and one of the best equipped country offices in the State. Power is sup- plied by a water-motor and the rooms are lighted with gas. The facilities for job work are excellent, and in its new home the Analecta should continue to be what it has already become, a successful and prosperous newspaper in a broadened field.

Corinthian Lodge F. and A. M., No. 82.1-On the 10th day of January, A.L. 5867 (A.D. 1867), the most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of New Hampshire, John H. Rowell, granted a dispensation to Brothers Henry H. Huse as Master, Daniel F. Smith as Senior Warden, W. Henry Berry as Junior Warden, together with their associates, Bros. R. P. J. Tenney,23 J. C. French, E. B. Hazzen, C. P. San- derson2 C. W. Ranlet,2 S. A. Trask, J. P. Stinchfield, Harrison Elliott,2 J. H. Hill, Nathaniel Blaisdell,2 George E. Pendergast,? J. H. Jenkins, J. P. Roby, Benjamin Emerson, ? J. J. M. Tenney,2 to assemble and work as a regular lodge. Agreeably to the pro- visions of this dispensation, they met in the old lodge-room of the then defunct Suncook Lodge, I. O. O. F., in the Thorndike building, on the evening of January 30, 5867, with the above-named Masters and Wardens, and H. A. Tuttle as Treasurer, J. G. Ladd as Secretary, J. P. Roby as Senior Deacon, O. S. Roby as Junior Deacon, Sylvanus Smith as Senior Steward, C. W. Ranlet as Junior Steward, Sumner A.

Trask as Tyler, Harrison Elliott as member. At the regular communication, June 11th of this year, the lodge voted to petition for a charter.

On July 24th the " Lodge met in special communi- cation at 2.30 p. m., for constitution and installment of its officers. The following officers were duly in- stalled and the lodge constituted by the Most Wor- shipful Grand Master John H. Rowell, assisted by Right Worshipful District Grand Master Alexander M. Winn : Henry H. Huse, W. M .; John G. Ladd, S. W .; Oliver S. Roby, J. W .; William Yeaton, Treas .; N. M. Rollins,2 Sec. ; J. P. Roby, S. D .; N. G. Foote, J. D. ; ? Sylvanus Smith, S. S .; G. W. Roby, J. S .; Sumner A. Trask, Tyler.

Rev. Bro. L. Z. Ferris preached an installation sermon in the Congregationalist Church ; refresh- ments were served in the old Washington House hall. The lodge held their communications in the old hall until A. L. 5870, when the building was re- modeled. Plans were submitted to the brethren for a new and commodious lodge-room, for an annual rental of one hundred and fifty dollars. So rapidly was the work pushed forward that the lodge was enabled to hold its communications within its own walls with one exception. The record reads : " Met in regular communication in May, 5870, at the house of Brother Smith and opened on the third degree, waiv- ing all ceremonies." At the regular communication in June we find them in their new quarters, which they occupied until the 14th of February, 1876, when the building was destroyed by fire. The lodge lost its charter, jewels and furniture; the records and seal the secretary, fortunately, had at his home.

Williard K. Cobb Post, G. A. R., tendered the lodge the use of their hall, which was accepted at a rental of three dollars a communication. Wednesday evening, March 8, 5876, we find a goodly number of the brethren present, ready and anxious to do with all their might for the good of the order. They voted to purchase a solid silver set of jewels and a set of working tools. They remained here until Thursday, November 29, 5881, when they removed to their new and beautiful lodge-rooms in Masonic Hall, built by the Masonic Hall Association over the old town hall.

The rooms are furnished in the very best ; the lodge- room proper is carpeted ; the chairs, altar, pedestals and settees of solid black waluut ; an elegant Bible, presented by the ladies, rests upon the altar; the solid silver jewels hang pendant from a beautiful and costly set of regalias of blue silk velvet, em- broidered and bordered with heavy silver bullion fringe, made and presented to the lodge by their ladies.

The lodge has funds at interest, the brethren are in harmony, and everything points to increasing prosperity and usefulness.

1 By Henry W. Osgood, P. M. & Member of Governor's Council.

2 Dead.

592

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The lodge had nine Masters, all of whom are living. Brother H. H. Huse has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire. Of its charter members, eight have died, one was a member of Governor Gilmore's Council, and one is at present the popular and efficient secretary of the New Hamp- shire Fire Insurance Company.

Of its members, seven have died, sixteen have been demitted ; the present number is seventy-seven. The following is a list of its Past Masters, the order and years in which they served: Brother H. H. Huse, 5867; Brother J. P. Roby, 5868, '69, '71 ; Brother W. H. Berry,1 5870; Brother C. H. Lane, 5872, '73, '74, '75; Brother L. A. Hodgdon, 5876; Brother E. J. Aiken,1 5877; Brother John Waldo, 5878; Brother H. W. Osgood, 5879, '80, '81, '84; Brother Josiah Gove, 5883, and at present its Master,

Masonic Hall Association, Pittsfield.2-Feeling and knowing the want of a lodge-room in which the brethren could meet and feel at home, a few of the brethren of Corinthian Lodge formed themselves into the " Masonic Hall Association," agreeable to the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

Its capital stock was fifteen hundred dollars, divi- ded into shares of twenty dollars each, which was readily taken up by members of the lodge. The as- sociation leased the upper story of the old town hall and built thereon a French roof, and finished the ele- gant suite of rooms rented and occupied by Corinthian Lodge, No. 82, A. F. and A. M. At its first meeting it elected Amos H. Messer, president ; Henry W. Os- good, treasurer ; Clarence Johnson, clerk; Josiah Gove, William B. Hartwell, trustees ; Amos H. Messer, William B. Hartwell, Clarence Johnson, Charles M. Bailey, H. W. Osgood, building committee.

CHAPTER IV. PITTSFIELD-(Continued).

Incorporation of Town-First Town-Meeting-Documentary History- Representatives-Town Clerks.

THE township was taken from Chichester and in- corporated by its present name March 27, 1782. John Cram was authorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants to choose town officers, etc.

The meeting was held as follows :

"State of Newhampshire Rockingham, Ss. Chichester, December 26th.178I at a Leagal meeting of the Inhabitance of the town of Chichester met according to notifycation Date of warrant Decm the 12th 1781.

"ILy Voted John Cram Esq" he a moderator to govern said meeting-

"2Ly l'oted that there Be a Commity Chosen on both Sids of the town to Divide said town.

" T'oted that william Chase John Cram Esq" Joseph morril Simeon Hil- yard Dyer Hook Elijah Ring and Capto jonathan Leavitt be a Commitee to Divide the town of Chichister-

1 Withdrawn fromn lodge fellowship.

2 By H. W. Osgood.

" Chichister Decr 26th- 1781 then we the Subscribers a Commitee have agreed in Dividing the town into two Parishes.

"ILy that the whole of the Land in the Second and third Divisions be- low the River and all the third Division ahove sd River Shall he to the north Side of the town.

"2Ly that the Sonth Side and north Side of the towo Shall Prefix the Centers for their meeting houses within three weaks from this Date.

"3Ly that those People that Live on Either Side of the Dividing Line Shall have Liberty to Poal themselves and their Estates into Either Side of the Dividing Line that they Shall think best any time within three months after that the Centers are to be Per- fixt in the South and north parte of the town as above Dated.

" JOHN CHAM

) Committee to Divide

" WILLM CHASE the town

" SIMEON HILYARD

" JONATHAN LEAVITT JUN

into two Parishes

" 2Ly Put to vote to see if the town will Except of what the Committee hath agreed upon and Signed in Dividing of the town and Past as a vote.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520