History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 203

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 203
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 203

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).

1820. Captain Ebenezer Pitman.

1821. Captain Ebenezer Pitman.

1x22. Captain Ebenezer Pitman. John Durkee.

1×23. Richard Odell. John Durkee.

1824. Jonathan Pearson. Stephen Gale.

1825. Stephen Gale.

Bradbury Robinson.

1844. John Wadleigh. David B. Plummer.

1845. John Wadleigh.

David R. Plummer.

1846. David B. Plummer.

George W. Stevens.

Stephen C. Lyon.

1847. Thomas Eastnian. Ebenezer Bickford. John Haynes.

1848. Thomas Eastman.

Ebenezer Rickford.

John Haynes.

1866. Asahel Sanborn. Jolın Sınitlı (2d).

1849. Bradbury C. Tuttle. Robert E. Merrill. 1867. Asahel Sanborn. John Smith (2d).

John G. Robinson.

1868. John Smith, Jr. John Nealey.

1850. Bradbury C. Tuttle. John G. Robinson. Robert E. Merrill.

1851. Thomas H. Holland.

Nathan R. Wadleigh.

Joseph P. Pitman. David B. Plummer.

Nathan B. Wadleigh.

1852. Joseph P. Pitman.

Noah Pease.

George Sanborn.

Thomas H. Holland.

1872, George Sanborn.

1853. Noah Pease.

James S. Hoit.

1873. Benjamin F. Wiggin.

Joseph W. Lang, Jr.

1874. Josiah S. Prescott. Ebenezer T. Blake.

1875. No representative sent.

1876. Eleazer Bickford. Joseph W. Lang, Jr.

1855. Bradstreet Leavitt. Ebenezer Stevens. Rufus Stevens.

1856. Joseph W. Lang. David Plunimmer.

1857. Joseph W. Lang. David Plumner.

1879. Ebenezer S. Robinson.

1880. Ebenezer S. Robinson.

1881. James Pike.

1882. James Pike.

1860. Gideon Piper.

Isaac Leavitt.

1861. Joseph W. Lang, Jr.

1884. John H. Knowles. Moses R. Marshall.

Isaac Leavitt.

1895. John Webster.

1862. Joseph W. Lang, Jr.

George F. Sanborn.

Societies-CHOCORUA LODGE, F. AND A. M., No. 83 .- This lodge was organized under a charter granted June 12, 1867. The charter members were H. P. Smith, J. P. F. Smith, S. B. Noyes, J. W. Lang, Jr., John A. Lang, Isaiah Winch, J. G. Chapman, D. B. Cummings, John Sanborn, Joseph W. Lang, John Smith (2d), T. L. Gordon, S. F. Emery, J. L. Hun- tress, A. P. Ladd, E. Bickford, Jr., T. E. Lang, J. R. Buzzell, D. S. Metcalf, Simeon Johnson, Charles E. Neal, Charles H. Dearborn. Past Masters in order of service : H. P. Smith, J. P. F. Smith, Charles W. Neal, Smith F. Emery, George K. James, James H. Hinchcliffe, Francis H. Cram, Charles D. Maloon, Haven Palmer.

Present officers (1885): James H. Hinchcliffe, W. M .; Fred. H. Smith, S. W .; Perry A. Ellsworth, J. W .; John A. Lang, Treas .; Curtis F. Smith, Sec .; Frank W. Smith, S. D .; Joseph W. Mead, J. D .; James D. Bartlett, S. S .; Edmund Quimby, J. S .; Charles D. Maloon, Chap .; Joseph W. Lang, Jr., Marshal; Henry B. Clough, Tiler; Eleazer Bick- ford, Representative to Grand Lodge. The present membership is seventy-four. Regular communication, Wednesday on or before each full moon.

Washington Smith.

1826. Jonathan Pearson. Washington Smitlı.

1827. Wasbington Smith. George L. Sibley.

1828. Washington Smith. Warren Lovell.

1831. Ebenezer S. Mooney.

Jonathan Folsont.

1832. Ebenezer S. Mooney. Jonathan Folsoni.

1833. Ebenezer S. Mooney. William Pike.

1834. William Pike.

1806. Stephen Perley. 1807. Stephen Perley. 1818. Isaac Lodd.

1809. John A. Harper.

1837. Warren Lovell.

Ebenezer Bickford. James Molineaux.

1838. Warren Lovell.

Ebenezer S. Mooney.

John T. Cofhn.

1839. Warren Lovell. Ebenezer S. Mooney.

1840. Joseph Ela. Abel Eastman.

1841. Winthrop Young. Abel B. Eastman. Joseph Elu.

1842. Winthrop Young. Joseph B. Tilton. Joseph S. Neal.

1×43. Joseph B. Tilton.

Levi S. Swain.

1863. John M. Wiggin. John Burden.

1864. John M. Wiggin. Jolin Burden.

1865. Nuah L. Trne. William H. K. Fernal.

1869. Jolin Nealey.

1870. Charles B. Swain.

1871. Charles B. Swain.

Benjamin F. Wiggin.

James M. Prescott.

1854. Ebenezer Stevens. Rufus Stevens. Bradstreet Leavitt.

1877. Nathaniel Davis. James H. Plaisted.

1878. Thaddens S. Moses. Simeon D. Pease.

1858. George W. Gilman. Ebenezer S. Robinson.

1859. George W. Gilman. Ebenezer S. Robinson.

1883. John H. Knowles. Moses R. Marshall.

BELKNAP LODGE, I. O. OF O. F., No. 14 .- This lodge was instituted April 8, 1879. The charter

1797. Ebenezer Smith (first half ). Richard Boynton (se'd half ).

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

members were Frank P. Carey, Howard F. Hill, John A. Lang, Thomas B. Nichols, Alvin Peavey. Marvin C. Brown, Brad. R. Dearborn, R. Freeman Sanborn.

Officers first year (nine months): F. P. Carey, N. G .; Alvin Peavey, V. G .; B. R. Dearborn, Sec. ; J. A. Lang, Treas.

1880 .- Officers : first term, A. Peavey, N. G .; I. C. Boynton, V. G .; B. R. Dearborn, Sec .; J. A. Lang. Treas. Second term, I. C. Boynton, N. G .; B. R. Dearborn, V. G .; D. A. Ambrose, Sec .; J. A. Lang, Treas.

1881 .- Officers : first term, B. R. Dearborn, N. G .; D. A. Ambrose, V. G .; F. P. Carey, Sec .; J. A. Lang, Treas. Second term, D. A. Ambrose, N. G .; W. M. Rand, V. G .; F. P. Carey, Sec .; I. C. Boynton, Treas.

1882 .- Officers : first term, W. M. Rand, N. G .; G. H. Norris, V. G .; F. P. Carey, Sec .; I. C. Boynton, Treas. Second term, G. H. Norris, N. G .; T. J. Sin- clair, V. G .; D. A. Vittum, Sec. ; J. D. Bartlett, Treas.

1883 .- Officers: first term, T. J. Sinclair, N. G .; J. D. Bartlett, V. G .; F. W. Elliott, Sec .; F. W. Smith, Treas. Second term, J. D. Bartlett, N. G .; James Graham, V. G. ; P. A. Ellsworth, Sec .; F. W. Smith, Treas.

1884 .- Officers : first term, J. Graham, N. G. ; P. A. Ellsworth, V. G .; A. M. Black, Sec. ; F. W. Smith, Treas. Second term, P. A. Ellsworth, N. G .; C. W. Maloon, V. G. ; A. M. Black, Sec. ; F. W. Smith, Treas.

1885 .- Officers : first term, B. R. Dearborn, N. G. ; A. M. Black, V. G .; D. A. Vittum, Sec .; F. W. Smith, Treas.

This lodge has furnished three District Deputies -- F. B. Carey, Alvin Peavey and J. D. Bartlett. Pres- ent number of members, fifty-seven. Meetings week- ly, Monday evenings.

GEORGE S. CRAM POST, No. 54, G. A. R .- This post was chartered June 26, 1880. The charter mem- bers were Levi Leach, Horace W. Clark, Joseph W. Lang, Jr., George K. James, Charles H. Perkins, John S. Piper, Cyrene Bixby, John P. Kendrick, Phillip McCrillis, Stephen K. Philbrick, Alden A. Kidder, John R. Quimby, Alvah Cotton, John E. Locke, Frank D. Clark, George G. Badger.

The first Commander was Captain J. W. Lang, Jr., late of the Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers. Nearly all of the members comprising this post served in the Twelfth Regiment. The present membership is forty-eight. The Past Commanders are J. W. Lang, Jr., George Dallison and C. C. Whittier. Regular en- campment, Friday evening of each week. It has a small post fund and a relief fund. Present Comman- der, Phillip McCrillis; Quartermaster, George K. James; W. B. Reynolds, Adjutant. The post was named in honor of George S. Cram, Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers, who was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville.

GEORGE S. CRAM RELIEF CORPS, NO. 2 .- Auxili- ary to the G. A. R .. Meetings, every other Monday evening, 7.30 o'clock. Kate Cram, president ; Maria P. Kendrick, Sec.

WILLIAM S. LEACH CAMP, NO. 3, SONS OF VET- ERANS .- Through the earnest labors of a prominent comrade of George S. Cram Post, G. A. R., ten of the patriotic sons of veteran soldiers who were entitled to the benefits of the Order of Sons of Veterans signed an application for a charter and secured the third charter issued for New Hampshire, which gave the camp the privilege of recommending a major for the State Division of the order. The charter members- were Francis H. Cram, Albert A. Kidder, Frank L. Hartshorn, W. E. McPherson, E. E. Kendrick, War- ren B. Jencks, Fred. L. Hawkins, Harry L. Fernal, Fred. B. Wilson, George H. Thurston.

The camp was instituted Thursday evening, March 14, 1883, Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Badger, of Lake village, acting as installing officer. Francis H. Cram was installed captain, and he has been followed by Brothers George H. Thurston, Albert A. Kidder and W. E. McPherson, the present incumbent. The camp now numbers twenty-two members in good standing, with a future which is indeed encouraging, although at present the brothers are largely scattered throughout the Union. Francis H. Cram is now serving as Lieutenant-Commander of the New Hamp- shire Division.

The camp was presented, May 30, 1885, with a fine portrait of William S. Leach, whose name the camp commemorates. This was the gift of Levi and Ed- ward Leach, father and brother of the gallant sol. dier-boy.

Meredith is the banner temperance town of the State. For the population, it has the largest number of enrolled troops against the traffic in and use of in- toxicating drink, and to-day the temperance forces are strong and well equipped. No concealed or "winked-at " traffic in ardent spirits is allowed within the limits of the town, and, though the battle has been a severely-fought one, the friends of true prog- ress can feel themselves encouraged by the present outlook.

There are three temperance organizations in Mere- dith,-

WAUKAWAN LODGE, No. 9, I. O. G. T., of Mere- dith village, was organized July 26, 1865, with thirty- three members. It has, with but few exceptions, held weekly meetings to the present time. It has had over three hundred different members, and has now a membership of fifty-nine, all active and energetie workers. There are only three of the charter mem- bers now connected with the lodge,-James M. Bedee (now Lodge Deputy and Treasurer), Mary E. Bedee and Mrs. Lizzie P. Lang. Meets Thursday evenings, weekly.

WHITE MOUNTAIN LODGE, No. 73, I. O. G. T., of Meredith Centre, was organized March 29, 1883, with

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the following officers: Rev. George Pinkham, W. C .; Mrs. S. E. M. Pinkham, W. V. T .; N. B. Plummer, Treas .; Ida Batchelder, W. F. S .; Mrs. Mary M. Cate, W. L. S .; Mrs. H. L. Pitman, W. R. S .; Amos K. Veasey, W. Chaplain; Fred. L. Batchelder, W. O. G .; George L. P. Corliss, P. W. C. T .; Frank A. Arnold, W. M .; Annie Hill, W. D. M .; Lodge Depu- ties : 1883-84, George L. P. Corliss ; 1885, A. K. Veasey. Weekly meetings, Friday evening. This has been a remarkably lively lodge, having had at times as high as one hundred and forty-five members, and now numbers ninety-two. The Worthy Chiefs from organization have been Rev. George Pinkham, J. H. Robinson, A. K. Veasey, J. H. Albright, W. H. Cate, N. B. Plummer, John Webster, D. S. Corliss and N. G. Plummer.

THE BLUE RIBBON CLUB, organized in 1879, was inaugurated by Messrs. Booth and Smith, February 16, 1879. It has held meetings nearly every Sunday evening since that date, numbers about two thousand three hundred members on its roll, and, in connec- tion with the Good Templars, is doing a fine work. Meetings, Sunday evenings, at the town hall.

THE MEREDITH MECHANIC ASSOCIATION was incor- porated in 1859. The incorporators were Joseph W. Lang, Ebenezer Stevens, Joseph Ela, James P. F. Smith, Hanson Beede and John W. Beede, with their associates, successors and assigns. The first officers were elected July 8, 1859, as follows: Joseph Ela, president and agent; J. W. Ela, clerk ; J. W. Lang, treasurer ; Ebenezer Stevens, John F. Barron, Seneca A. Ladd, Daniel Smith, directors.

Mr. Ela resigned his office September 3, 1859, on account of ill health, and Ebenezer Stevens was elected to serve the remainder of the year, when Mr. Ela was again elected and served as president and agent until 1871. George G. Hoyt was then elected presi- dent and he now holds the office. Joseph W. Lang was treasurer until 1861; Ebenezer Stevens, from 1861 to 1862; J. W. Lang, from 1862 to 1863, when S. W. Rollins was appointed and served until 1871; Seneca A. Ladd was then elected treasurer, and appointed agent, and he has since filled these offices.

The property held by the association consists of all the water-power afforded by Waukawan Lake, in one fall of forty-two feet to Winnipesaukee Lake, three factory buildings, three shops, one store and three houses.

The capital stock was at first twenty thousand dol- lars, which, by vote of the stockholders, might be in- creased to not exceeding fifty thousand dollars. In 1861, by vote, it was raised to twenty-five thousand dollars, and January 18, 1871, to thirty-five thousand dollars, this being the present amount of capital stock, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each, and held by forty persons. Dividends, averaging from the commencement four and a half per cent. per annum, have been paid. It is out of debt and paying a divi- dend of two per cent. semi-annually.

The present officers are : President and Clerk, George G. Hoyt; Treasurer and Agent, Seneca A. Ladd ; Directors, G. G. Hoyt, J. W. Beede, J. H. Plaisted, Samuel Hodgson, Ebenezer Stevens.

The Meredith Village Savings-Bank was incor- porated June, 1869, with the following corporators : Joseph W. Lang, Seneca A. Ladd, Joseph Ela, J. W. Lang, Jr., C. S. Prescott, Ebenezer Stevens, N. B. Wadleigh, John W. Beede, Isaiah Winch, George Sanborn, George M. Burleigh, J. S. Neal, J. H. Pres- cott, C. P. Towle, George G. Hoyt, Charles L. Hoyt, J. M. Beede, D. S. Beede, A. E. Leavitt and S. D. Pease.

October 4, 1869, the first meeting was held, at which time Joseph W. Lang was chosen president ; Seneca A. Ladd, treasurer and secretary; and the same two persons have been elected to the same offices every year since. At an adjourned meeting, held October 7, 1869, the following names were added as corporators : D. S. Metcalf, Charles Smith, R. S. Keneson, W. H. H. Mason and C. P. St. Clair. At this time a board of trustees were chosen as follows : Joseph Ela, John W. Beede, Charles Smith, J. M. Beede, C. S. Prescott, S. D. Pease, R. S. Keneson, William H. H. Mason, George G. Hoyt and C. P. St. Clair.

This bank has been very successful from the first. Its officers have all been practical men, and only those who were successful in their private business. Its deposits-the first of one hundred dollars, on No- vember 10, 1869, by Mrs. J. P. Lang-have steadily increased to three hundred and thirty thousand dol- lars, a guarantee fund of sixteen thousand dollars and undivided profit of twenty thousand dollars. There is no paper held known to be bad or doubtful, and no principal or interest overdue. July 1, 1870, it de- clared an interest dividend of two and a half per cent., and has repeated the same rate every six months since, and during the same time has paid four extra dividends.

The president, possessing much valuable experi- ence, and having long been a model business man,- at all times in the right place,-has rendered valuable aid.

The treasurer, fully understanding the true object of a savings-bank, has faithfully and impartially attended to his important duties.

The finance committee are practical men, with much veneration for law and precedents, are well qualified for the business and ever attentive to duty.

The present active officers are Joseph W. Lang, president ; Seneca A. Ladd, treasurer ; Samuel W. Rollins, John W. Beede, Ebenezer Stevens, finance committee.

The Meredith Weekly News .- The first paper published in Meredith since the division of the town was established July 22, 1880, by George F. Sanborn, who still controls it. Since its advent it has been

854

HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

enlarged the. third time, in the mean time changing its name to the Meredith News. It is now pub- lished-folio form of thirty-two columns-independent in character and politics. Prosperous and with an increasing circulation, the paper bids fair to become one of the permanent institutions of the town.

The Meredith Public Library and Reading-Room adjoins the office of the News and is under the man- agement of George F. Sanborn. The library was established March, 1882, by subscription and donation of books from John Smith, Jr., of Boston, and others who contributed liberally. An appropriation by the town has given it an addition of many valuable works, making in all about ten thousand volumes. It has now a solid basis, and is well patronized.

March 13, 1883, Aaron T. Clough, George G. Hoyt, George F. Sanborn, E. P. Robinson and N. B. Plum- mer were appointed trustees.

CHAPTER X. MEREDITH-(Continued).

MISCELLANEOUS.

Colouel Ebenezer Smith-Education-Early Votes of the Town Con- ceroing "Schooling "-"Master Leavitt "-School-Houses at Meredith Village-Number of School Districts and Attendance of Scholars, 1884 -85-First Siogiag-School-Dudley Leavitt-Early Navigation-First Steamboat-Early Business Meo of Meredith Village-Meredith Parade -A Curious Relic-Conclusion.

COLONEL EBENEZER SMITH was, above all others, the principal man of the early days of Meredith. He was proprietors' clerk, first town clerk (both positions were held many years), justice of the peace and se- lectmen for a long period of time, first representa- tive to the General Court, colonel of the First Regi- ment of militia, and often received all the votes cast in the town for offices of honor and trust, such as Senator and Presidential elector. Making his home in the town in the spring of 1766, he was almost alone in the wilderness, and the old record-books show him to have been the genius of the improve- ment of the settlement, and the good people of Mere- dith to-day owe much to the shrewd practicality, strong common sense, business ability and earnest labor of this old pioneer. He is allowed, September 2, 1765, '£6 128. 3d. for cutting road and building bridge. November 3d he received eighteen pounds for work on saw-mill, and thirty pounds for settling rights. He was autocratic and controlled the infant town as a Czar his realm, but his rule was for the public good. For example, when the assessors would meet to fix the taxes, he would say, " Put such an one down for an amount much less than the assessment on his valuation; he has been sick, had poor crops or has lost an ox," etc. Another settler, who had had good fortune, he would tax a larger amount than the assessment. Never was his decision appealed

from, nor was there any appeal. He would meet angry neighbors who were going to the " Bridge " for the law against some one, and authoritatively turn them towards home, and thus prevented strife and law- suits. He was truly a great man. He died August 22, 1807, leaving numerous descendants.

.Education .- In a quiet manner the people of Mere- dith have paid attention from the first to the educa- tional interests of the town. April 5, 1773, it was " Voted to raise the sum of six Spanish milled dollars for to hire schooling the present year, and not to build a school [house] this present year." In the same year we find Jeremiah Smith credited " by cash paid Jonathan Smith for schooling, £16."

March 10, 1778, the town took action to build three school-houses, and also " that the selectmen shall make tax on the said districts to pay the cost of building, after the houses are completed," and voted for eight months' school. Up to this time, and for several years the amount annnally voted by the town for school purposes was usually five ponnds. Some years later there was no school. and the money raised increased the length of time taught the ensu- ing year. Four months in each year there was usually a school. One of the most celebrated of the early teachers was Dudley Leavitt, of almanac fame, whose reputation as a mathematician and astrono- mer extended to the scientific circles of Europe. His first school was taught in a house standing on the corner of a lot now owned by C. C. Whittier, near the Prospect House, on the old road from Mere- dith village to Centre Harbor. In digging for a foundation of a bank-wall, about May 1, 1885, Mr. Whittier came upon the foundation of the old school- house. Mr. Leavitt afterwards taught school on Meredith Parade. In 1800 the town raised three hundred dollars for schools. March 12, 1804, the town "Voted to raise four hundred dollars for the use of schooling the ensuing year." We cannot find the record of any action of the town at any period of its history increasing that amount.

The school-house at Meredith village was located on Plymouth Street, where a house was erected, which, becoming too small, in time, for the number of scholars, was succeeded, somewhere about 1840, by a larger house of two rooms, which was occupied un- til the completion of the present school building. June 27, 1871, John Wadleigh, Hosea S. Swain and Edward F. Wiggin, school committee, located the site for the present school building on land belonging to Colonel Ebenezer Stevens, and appraised the value of the site at eight hundred and thirty-three dollars. The building was at once erected and occupied.

From reports of school committee and Board of Education for the year ending March 1, 1885, we find seventeen school districts in town, the one at Meredith village having a graded school of four de- partments. The total number of scholars attending school during the year was three hundred and sixty-

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MEREDITH.

four. Of these, one hundred and ninety were on the rolls of the graded school.

THE FIRST SINGING-SCHOOL in the town was taught nearly one hundred years ago (1795) by Dea- con Josiah Perkins, father of John Perkins, now of Meredith village.

DUDLEY LEAVITT .- This noted astronomer, school- teacher and almanac-maker was for years an honored character of Meredith. His fame extended to European countries, and it is related that one of the French savans, who visited his plain abode, was much surprised at the simplicity of the surroundings, as he expected to find an imposing mansion instead of a pioneer cabin, and when he learned that the annual revenue of Mr. Leavitt amounted to seventy-five dol- lars, and that "he had all he wanted," he could not understand in the slightest degree such Spartan qual- ities as he saw exhibited.

For many years Dudley Leavitt drew many from long distances to avail themselves of the great advan- tages of his tuition. His "Farmers' Almanac" occu- pied, next to the Bible, the honored place in New Hampshire homes. It is doubtful whether any other person has had so much to do with the intellectual development of Meredith, or so impressed his person- ality upon its people. The few now living who were his pupils speak of him with veneration. To have received instruction from "Master Leavitt" was as satisfactory in educational requirements at that time as a college diploma would be to-day.

Early Navigation on Lake Winnipesaukee .-- During the early history of this vicinity great diffi- culty was experienced by the settlers in transporting goods and household necessities from the distant markets of Dover and Portsmouth. The roads con- sisted only of " bridle-paths," which were only wide enough for a single horse, and all the articles had to be carried upon horseback, or oftener on the backs of the settlers themselves. At last they got tired of these means of transportation, and constructed a road from Dover to Alton Bay about the commencement of the present century. From Alton Bay the supplies were distributed to this section by means of boats, and, almost simultaneously with the construction of this road, the old "Gundalow" boat was built by one Smith, of Dover, to carry the goods and passengers across the lake to their point of destination. This was a huge, flat-bottomed, unwieldy craft, propelled by sail, if the wind was favorable, and when it was not, by large oars. It ran no regular trips, but visited the Weirs, Meredith village, Centre Harbor and sey- eral other points when necessary. After running a number of years it was "shipwrecked" on "Great Boat Ledge" in a heavy gale.

In 1830 a stock company was formed for the pur- pose of building a steamboat, and work was soon after commenced upon it at Lake village, and it was completed in 1833. Great difficulty was experienced in getting up through the channel at the Weirs, on

account of the low water. Like the old "Gundalow," it ran no regular trips, visiting all points on the lake when necessary. It was about one hundred feet in length, and flat-bottomed. The engine was in no way in proportion to the size of the boat, in head winds hardly able to hold its own, and making a noise that could be heard for miles. The time employed in making the trip between Alton Bay and Centre Har- bor, when the wind was favorable, was nearly six hours. Now the time made between these two points is two hours, regardless of wind or weather. Captain W. A. Sanborn, of the Weirs, was her captain, and Perkins Drake, of Lake village, her pilot. In the month of November, 1841, the steamboat was wrecked on what is now known as Steamboat Island. Other steamers were soon after built, and run upon the lake, among which were the "Red Hill," the "Seneca," the "Union " and the "Lady."

Early Business Men of Meredith Village .- Ac- cording to the venerable Joseph Ela, the merchants, in 1822, when he came here to establish a store for Joseph Smith, which he did near the present resi- dence of J. A. Lang, were J. B. Swasey, whose store was opposite the residence of Colonel Ebenezer Ste- vens ; John Towle, an old merchant, kept in the next block towards the post-office from the present Ma- sonic Hall; Samuel Gilman, who occupied what is now the post-office building; Samuel Bean, located where the meat-market now stands; Captain Badger's tan-yard was where Mr. Hodgson's factory is now; Mr. Moulton was a cloth-dresser and manufacturer, after the primitive manner of that period. The law- yers were Esquire Harper, Jonathan C. Everett and. later, Judge Lovell. The principal physician was Dr. John Sanborn, a man of great value, not only as a physician, but who is remembered as one who did more to inculcate a desire for knowledge in the minds of the youth than, perhaps, any other person who ever lived here.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 203

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